Jeremiah 12
Commentary from 8 fathers
Thou hast planted them, and they have taken root; they have begotten children, and become fruitful; thou art near to their mouth, and art far from their reins.
ἐφύτευσας αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐρριζώθησαν· ἐτεκνοποιήσαντο καὶ ἐποίησαν καρπόν· ἐγγὺς εἶ σὺ τοῦ στόματος αὐτῶν καὶ πόρρω ἀπὸ τῶν νεφρῶν αὐτῶν.
Насади́лъ є҆сѝ и҆̀хъ, и҆ ᲂу҆корени́шасѧ, ча̑да сотвори́ша и҆ сотвори́ша пло́дъ: бли́з̾ є҆сѝ ты̀ ᲂу҆́стъ и҆́хъ, дале́че же ѿ ᲂу҆тро́бъ и҆́хъ.
But thou, Lord, knowest me; thou hast proved my heart before thee; purify them for the day of their slaughter.
καὶ σύ, Κύριε, γινώσκεις με, δεδοκίμακας τὴν καρδίαν μου ἐναντίον σου· ἅγνισον αὐτοὺς εἰς ἡμέραν σφαγῆς αὐτῶν.
И҆ ты̀, гдⷭ҇и, разꙋмѣ́еши мѧ̀, ви́дѣлъ мѧ̀ є҆сѝ и҆ и҆скꙋси́лъ є҆сѝ се́рдце моѐ пред̾ тобо́ю: соберѝ и҆̀хъ ꙗ҆́кѡ ѻ҆́вцы на заколе́нїе и҆ ѡ҆чⷭ҇ти и҆̀хъ въ де́нь заколе́нїѧ и҆́хъ.
(Verse 3.) And you, Lord, you know me: you have seen me, and you have tested my heart with you. Gather them together like a flock for the sacrifice, and sanctify them on the day of slaughter. There is no scandal, it is said, that the wicked, or all heretics, flourish for a time: For you, Lord, know me, and you have seen me, and you have tested my heart with you. How does the Father God know his Son this way? For no one knows the Son except the Father: and no one knows the Father, except the Son, and whom the Son wants to reveal (Matt. XI, 17). It is permitted, he says, that they may prosper, that they may generate children, and that heretics may produce fruit, and you may be close to their mouth and far from their kidneys, that is, their conscience: nevertheless, there is some consolation, in that they are fattened like sheep for the slaughter. Gather them in the city of Jerusalem, or in their assemblies: so that they may be slaughtered as if they were victims of death, and then may be sanctified, when they have been beheaded by the sword of the Church: for the killing of heretics is the salvation of those who had been deceived.
Commentary on Jeremiah
How long shall the land mourn, and the grass of the field wither, for the wickedness of them, that dwell in it? the beasts and birds are utterly destroyed; because [the people] said, God shall not see our ways.
ἕως πότε πενθήσει ἡ γῆ καὶ πᾶς ὁ χόρτος τοῦ ἀγροῦ ξηρανθήσεται ἀπὸ κακίας τῶν κατοικούντων ἐν αὐτῇ; ἠφανίσθησαν κτήνη καὶ πετεινά, ὅτι εἶπαν· οὐκ ὄψεται ὁ Θεὸς ὁδοὺς ἡμῶν.
Доко́лѣ пла́кати и҆́мать землѧ̀, и҆ трава̀ всѧ̀ се́льнаѧ и҆́зсхнетъ ѿ ѕло́бы живꙋ́щихъ на не́й; Погибо́ша ско́ти и҆ пти̑цы, ꙗ҆́кѡ реко́ша: не ᲂу҆́зритъ бг҃ъ пꙋті́й на́шихъ.
“How long will the earth mourn and the grass of the field be dried up from the evil of the inhabitants in it?” The prophet here again talks as if the earth is alive when he says that the earth mourns on account of the evil of those who walk on it. For each of us, then, the earth either mourns or rejoices. For either it mourns from the evil of those who inhabit it or it rejoices from the virtue of those who inhabit it. For each of us, then, the element itself either rejoices or mourns. If earth does so, perhaps also the rest of the elements do also … including water.
Homilies on Jeremiah 10:6
(Verse 4) How long will the earth mourn, and all the herbage of the region wither because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it? The animal and the bird have perished because they have said: Our last things will not be seen (or God will not see our ways). Whatever happens in the world, whether good or evil, happens not without the providence and chance of God, but by his judgment. The earth is now barren, the herbage dries up. Do you want to know the reason? Those who dwell in wickedness do this: so that the animals on the earth and the birds of the sky are consumed, because all these creatures were created for the use of humans: who have risen to such blasphemy as to say that God is ignorant of His own ways, and does not know what each individual will suffer. But what he says, 'How long?' signifies the enduring wrath of God, because the hearts of sinners were not inclined to repentance.
Commentary on Jeremiah
Thy feet run, and they cause thee to faint; how wilt thou prepare [to ride] upon horses? and thou hast been confident in the land of thy peace? how wilt thou do in the roaring of Jordan?
σοῦ οἱ πόδες τρέχουσι καὶ ἐκλύουσί σε· πῶς παρασκευάσῃ ἐφ’ ἵπποις καὶ ἐν γῇ εἰρήνης σὺ πέποιθας; πῶς ποιήσεις ἐν φρυάγματι τοῦ ᾿Ιορδάνου;
Но́зѣ твоѝ текꙋ́тъ и҆ разслаблѧ́ютъ тѧ̀: ка́кѡ ᲂу҆гото́вишисѧ съ ко́ньми; и҆ въ землѝ ми́ра твоегѡ̀ ᲂу҆пова́лъ є҆сѝ, ка́кѡ сотвори́ши въ шꙋ́мѣ і҆ѻрда́нстѣмъ;
(Verse 5) If you have struggled running with foot soldiers, how will you be able to compete with horses? If you have relied on the land of peace, what will you do in the pride or tumult of the Jordan? If, as they say, you have been wearied by the frequent captivities of neighboring nations, the Moabites and Ammonites, the Philistines and Edomites, what will you do in the face of a long captivity that will be led by the Chaldeans all the way? And he compares foot soldiers to horsemen, for in truth both the Persians and the entire Chaldean empire and the armies of those regions take delight in cavalry according to history. But these nations, which I mentioned above, are not so suited for battle because of the difficulty of the terrain, as they are for robbery. And he preserves the metaphor and says: If you became weak with fatigue while running alongside foot soldiers, what will you do if you want to keep up with horses? And if you had any confidence in your own land, what will you do when you cross the Jordan and endure its currents?
Commentary on Jeremiah
For even thy brethren and the house of thy father, even these have dealt treacherously with thee; and they have cried out, they are gathered together in pursuit of thee; trust not thou in them, though they shall speak fair [words] to thee.
ὅτι καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί σου καὶ ὁ οἶκος τοῦ πατρός σου, καὶ οὗτοι ἠθέτησάν σε, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐβόησαν, ἐκ τῶν ὀπίσω σου ἐπισυνήχθησαν· μὴ πιστεύσῃς ἐν αὐτοῖς, ὅτι λαλήσουσι πρός σε καλά. -
Поне́же и҆ бра́тїѧ твоѧ̑ и҆ до́мъ ѻ҆тца̀ твоегѡ̀, и҆ сі́и ѿверго́шасѧ тебє̀ и҆ ті́и возопи́ша, созадѝ тебє̀ собра́шасѧ: не вѣ́рꙋй и҆̀мъ, є҆гда̀ глаго́лати бꙋ́дꙋтъ тебѣ̀ блага̑ѧ.
(Verse 6.) For even your brothers and the household of your father themselves fought against you, and they cried out after you with a loud voice: do not believe them when they speak good things to you. To such an extent, he says, you will be overwhelmed by the most violent waves of the Jordan, and the multitude of horsemen coming from afar will devastate you, so that even your brothers from the Edomite lineage, and the household of your father, who are descendants of Lot, Moab and Ammon, themselves will fight against you in times of necessity and distress, and will insult you (Genesis 19). Beware of trusting them and having hope in kinship, through which they may rage against you more than your enemies. This can also be understood in reference to Jesus, that his brothers and the household of his father fought against him and cried out loudly, saying: Crucify him, crucify him: we have no king but Caesar (John 19:15).
Commentary on Jeremiah
I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given my beloved one into the hands of her enemies.
᾿Εγκαταλέλοιπα τὸν οἶκόν μου, ἀφῆκα τὴν κληρονομίαν μου, ἔδωκα τὴν ἠγαπημένην ψυχήν μου εἰς χεῖρας ἐχθρῶν αὐτῆς.
Ѡ҆ста́вихъ до́мъ мо́й, ѡ҆ста́вихъ достоѧ́нїе моѐ, да́хъ возлю́бленнꙋю дꙋ́шꙋ мою̀ въ рꙋ́ки врагѡ́въ є҆ѧ̀:
7–8As the prophet Jeremiah testifies when he speaks such things … “I have forsaken my house, I have given up my heritage into the hand of its enemies. My heritage has become to me as a lion in the forest. It has cried out against me, therefore have I hated it.” Since the inheritance is his heavenly kingdom, it is evident that he does not say that he hates the inheritance itself, but the heirs, who have been ungrateful toward him and impious. “My heritage,” he says, “has become to me as a lion,” that is, I have become prey and something to devour to my heirs, who have slaughtered me as a sheep. “It cried out against me,” that is, they have pronounced against me the sentence of death and the cross. For that which he said … that he would make a new testament to the house of Judah, shows that the old testament that was given by Moses was not perfect, but that that which was to be given by Christ would be complete. But it is plain that the house of Judah does not signify the Jews, whom he casts off, but us, who have been called by him out of the Gentiles and have by adoption, succeeded to their place, and are called children.
Divine Institutes 4:20
7–8Now that the Jews were disinherited, because they rejected Christ, and that we, who are of the Gentiles, were adopted into their place is proved by the Scriptures. Jeremiah thus speaks, “I have forsaken my house. I have given my heritage into the hands of its enemies. My heritage has become to me as a lion in the forest. It has given forth its voice against me; therefore have I hated it.”
Divine Institutes 4:20
7–8And although the Apostle himself told the Hebrews that a testament is of no force, until the death of the testator happen, that is to say, a testament is of no strength while the testator liveth, but is established by his death, yet as in Jeremiah the Lord, speaking of the Jews, has said, Mine heritage is unto Me as a lion, he would not deny that they were heirs. But there are heirs without possessions, there are heirs also with them; and while the testator lives those whose names are written in the will are called heirs, though without possessions... As then young children, so the Jews also, are under a schoolmaster. The Law is our schoolmaster, the schoolmaster brings us to our Master; and our One Master is Christ: Neither be ye called masters, for one is your Master, even Christ.
Letter 75.3, 5
7–8It is further related that when Pilate wanted to release him, the whole multitude shouted in uproar: “Crucify him, crucify him.” This was foretold by the prophet Jeremiah, speaking in the person of the Lord: “My inheritance,” he says, “has become to me as lion in the wood. It has cried out against me. Therefore have I hated it.” And therefore, he adds, “I have forsaken my house.” In yet another passage Isaiah says: “Upon whom have you opened your mouth wide, and against whom have you let loose your tongues?”
Commentary on the Apostles’ Creed 22
7–8(Vers. 7, 8.) I left my house, I abandoned my inheritance: I gave my beloved soul into the hands of its enemies. My inheritance became like a lion in the forest: it roared against me, therefore I hated it. He who spoke in the Gospel: Rise, let us go from here (John 14:31). And again: Your house will be left desolate (Luke 13:35), here and also in the same prophet he threatens; and he says that he has done what he was going to do. For the inheritance of the Lord is Israel, and his inheritance is as a rope. But when he says: 'I have given my beloved soul into the hand of his enemies,' that means, I have the power to lay down my soul, and I have the power to take it up again (John 10:18). Indeed, the inheritance of the Lord, the people of the Jews, once rebelled against him like a lion in the forest: when they shouted with a loud voice against him in their suffering. And because they raised their voice against him, he therefore hated them, and rejected them, and what was once beloved and cherished is now called hateful.
Commentary on Jeremiah
My inheritance has become to me as a lion in a forest; she has uttered her voice against me; therefore have I hated her.
ἐγενήθη ἡ κληρονομία μου ἐμοὶ ὡς λέων ἐν δρυμῷ· ἔδωκεν ἐπ’ ἐμὲ τὴν φωνὴν αὐτῆς, διὰ τοῦτο ἐμίσησα αὐτήν.
бы́сть мнѣ̀ достоѧ́нїе моѐ ꙗ҆́кѡ ле́въ въ дꙋбра́вѣ, дадѐ проти́вꙋ менє̀ гла́съ сво́й: сегѡ̀ ра́ди возненави́дѣхъ є҆̀.
Is not my inheritance to me a hyaena’s cave, or a cave round about her? Go ye, gather together all the wild beasts of the field, and let them come to devour her.
μὴ σπήλαιον ὑαίνης ἡ κληρονομία μου ἐμοὶ ἢ σπήλαιον κύκλῳ αὐτῆς; βαδίσατε, συναγάγετε πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ ἀγροῦ, καὶ ἐλθέτωσαν τοῦ φαγεῖν αὐτήν.
Не верте́пъ ли ѵ҆е́нинъ достоѧ́нїе моѐ мнѣ̀, и҆лѝ пеще́ра ѡ҆́крестъ є҆гѡ̀; И҆ди́те, собери́те всѧ̑ ѕвѣ̑ри сє́льныѧ, и҆ да прїи́дꙋтъ снѣ́сти є҆̀.
(Ver. 9.) Is my inheritance like a colorful bird to me? Is it like a bird dyed all over? Come, gather all the beasts of the earth; hurry to devour. LXX: Is the den of the hyena my inheritance? Is there a den all around it, above it? Go, gather all the animals of the field; let them come and eat it. According to the letter, he calls the colorful and fully dyed bird a peacock. He says that Israel had such great beauty and Jerusalem was distinguished by such virtues that there was nothing good that could not be seen in it. Therefore, since an inheritance was once made for me, that is, the people of Israel, like a lion in the forest, and they spoke against me, and I detested them with all hatred: therefore come and gather against them all the beasts of the earth, a multitude of diverse nations, and devour them who have not known their Lord. But if, as the Septuagint and other interpreters have translated, it is read: Is my inheritance to me a den of hyenas, shall we return to the uncleanness of the nocturnal beast, which lives on the corpses of the dead, and is accustomed to dig up bodies from tombs, and there is no filthiness that it does not feed on. Such is Israel offending his Lord, and delivered to the bites of all beasts.
Commentary on Jeremiah
The house of God has been made a den of thieves! This is the house of which Jeremiah says, “Has not my house become for me the den of a hyena?” Here we have “you have made it a den of thieves,” in Jeremiah, “the den of a hyena.” We have to know the nature of this animal. Then from that, we shall be able to learn why the prophet called God’s house a hyena’s den. The hyena is never seen in the daytime but always at night. Never is it seen in the light but always in the darkness.
Homilies on Mark 83:11.15-17
9–10The Edomites and the Moabites and the Ammonites and the foreigners were always of a hateful and malicious disposition toward the Jews. When they saw the misfortunes brought against the Jews, they exulted over the Jews. For this reason he teaches them in advance of the future calling again of the Jews. And he calls their rulers "shepherds."
On Jeremiah 3:12
Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have defiled my portion, they have made my desirable portion a trackless wilderness;
ποιμένες πολλοὶ διέφθειραν τὸν ἀμπελῶνά μου, ἐμόλυναν τὴν μερίδα μου, ἔδωκαν τὴν μερίδα τὴν ἐπιθυμητήν μου εἰς ἔρημον ἄβατον,
Па́стырїе мно́зи растли́ша вїногра́дъ мо́й, ѡ҆скверни́ша ча́сть мою̀, да́ша ча́сть жела́емꙋю мою̀ въ пꙋсты́ню непрохо́днꙋю,
(Verse 10) Many shepherds have destroyed (or disrupted) my vineyard, they have trampled (or polluted) my portion: they have given my desirable portion into a desert wasteland (or uninhabited). They have made (or it has been made) it into a desolation. Let those who want to be leaders of the people hear this, because they will have to give an account not only for themselves, but also for the flocks entrusted to them, on the day of judgment. For because of them, a part of the Lord's dwelling place is trampled and polluted, so that where once there was a hospice, there may now be a dwelling place for beasts. Others, however, understand the leaders of the enemies, who have scattered the vineyard of the Lord, not as being placed over the people and priests.
Commentary on Jeremiah
it is made a complete ruin: for my sake the whole land has been utterly ruined, because there is none that lays [the matter] to heart.
ἐτέθη εἰς ἀφανισμὸν ἀπωλείας, δι’ ἐμὲ ἀφανισμῷ ἠφανίσθη πᾶσα ἡ γῆ, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἀνὴρ τιθέμενος ἐν καρδίᾳ.
положи́ша въ потребле́нїе па́гꙋбы: менє̀ ра́ди разоре́нїемъ разоре́на є҆́сть всѧ̀ землѧ̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ ни є҆ди́нъ є҆́сть, и҆́же размышлѧ́етъ се́рдцемъ.
11–12(Vers. 11, 12.) And the earth mourned, desolate it is, because there is no one who thinks in their heart. The devastators have come over all the paths of the desert, for the sword of the Lord has devoured from one end of the earth to the other: there is no peace for all flesh. LXX: Therefore the earth is utterly ruined, and the rest. This that we have set, 'and the earth mourned,' is joined to the previous verse according to the Hebrew, so that the meaning is: They have made it into ruin, that is, my inheritance: And the earth mourned, deprived of my help. But according to the Septuagint, God spoke that because of him the earth is devastated and turned into a wilderness, because there is no one who remembers in their heart, nor any peace for all flesh. For the flesh cannot receive the peace of God. For the wisdom of the flesh is hostile to God; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. And according to the Hebrew, therefore all of Judaea is desolate, because there is no one who remembers God in their heart, nor is there any survivor who can escape. For through all the ways of solitude came the devastators, that is, a hostile army, and the sword of the Lord devoured from one end to the other; and there was no rest for those fleeing from the city. Hence it is said: There is no peace for all flesh.
Commentary on Jeremiah
The ravagers are come to every passage in the wilderness: for the sword of the Lord will devour from one end of the land to the other: no flesh has any peace.
ἐπὶ πᾶσαν διεκβολὴν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἦλθον ταλαιπωροῦντες, ὅτι μάχαιρα τοῦ Κυρίου καταφάγεται ἀπ’ ἄκρου τῆς γῆς ἕως ἄκρου τῆς γῆς, οὐκ ἔστιν εἰρήνη πάσῃ σαρκί.
Во всѧ́кїй пꙋ́ть пꙋсты́ни прїидо́ша ѡ҆пꙋстоша́ющїи, ꙗ҆́кѡ ме́чь гдⷭ҇ень поѧ́стъ ѿ кра́ѧ землѝ да́же до кра́ѧ є҆ѧ̀: нѣ́сть ми́ра всѧ́цѣй пло́ти.
Sow wheat, and reap thorns; their portions shall not profit them: be ashamed of your boasting, because of reproach before the Lord.
ἐσπείρατε πυροὺς καὶ ἀκάνθας θερίζετε· οἱ κλῆροι αὐτῶν οὐκ ὠφελήσουσιν αὐτούς· αἰσχύνθητε ἀπὸ καυχήσεως ὑμῶν, ἀπὸ ὀνειδισμοῦ ἔναντι Κυρίου. -
Посѣ́ѧсте пшени́цꙋ, а҆ те́рнїе пожа́сте: достоѧ̑нїѧ и҆́хъ не полє́зна бꙋ́дꙋтъ и҆̀мъ: постыди́тесѧ стыдѣ́нїемъ ѿ похвале́нїѧ ва́шегѡ, ѿ поноше́нїѧ пред̾ гдⷭ҇емъ.
Dearly beloved, it is fitting that we should not abuse our rank as clergy, so as to make it an occasion of pride, but diligently keep and observe God’s commandments, to be in reality what in name we profess to be. For if the Holy Scriptures say, “Their lots shall not profit them,” what pride in our clerical position will be able to help us who sin not only in thought and feeling but also in speech?
Letter 51:1
(Verse 13) They sowed wheat and harvested thorns: they received an inheritance, but it will not benefit them. LXX: You have sown wheat and harvested thorns: their clergy will not benefit them. They expected better things, but the worst came: they hoped for success, but endured adversity: they received an abundance of all things from the Lord, which will not benefit them. According to the Septuagint, all heretics sow wheat and harvest thorns, while the Lord waits for them to bear fruit, but they do not bring forth judgment, only outcry. But it is said also of Ecclesiastics who scatter the words of the Lord and his doctrine by evil conduct. Concerning them it is inferred: Their clergy shall not profit them. For what can bishops' name and presbyters, or the rest of the Ecclesiastical order, do to help them, when they are burdened more by their own dignities and suffer powerful torments severely, and when more has been entrusted to them, more is required of them (Wisdom 6).
Commentary on Jeremiah
I beg you, therefore, and admonish you again and again: do not look to your military experience for a standard of clerical obligation. Under Christ’s banner, do not seek worldly gain, lest having more than when you first became a clergyman, you hear people say, to your shame, “Their portion shall not profit them.” Welcome poor people and strangers to your homely table, that with them Christ may be your guest.
Letter 52.5
For thus saith the Lord, concerning all the evil neighbours that touch mine inheritance, which I have divided to my people Israel; Behold, I [will] draw them away from their land, and I will cast out Juda from the midst of them.
῞Οτι τάδε λέγει Κύριος περὶ πάντων τῶν γειτόνων τῶν πονηρῶν τῶν ἁπτομένων τῆς κληρονομίας μου, ἧς ἐμέρισα τῷ λαῷ μου ᾿Ισραήλ· ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποσπῶ αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς αὐτῶν καὶ τὸν ᾿Ιούδαν ἐκβαλῶ ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν.
Ꙗ҆́кѡ сїѧ̑ гл҃етъ гдⷭ҇ь ѡ҆ всѣ́хъ сосѣ́дѣхъ лꙋка́выхъ, прикаса́ющихсѧ наслѣ́дїю моемꙋ̀, є҆́же раздѣли́хъ лю́демъ мои̑мъ і҆и҃лю: сѐ, а҆́зъ и҆сто́ргнꙋ и҆̀хъ ѿ землѝ и҆́хъ и҆ до́мъ і҆ꙋ́динъ и҆зве́ргнꙋ ѿ среды̀ и҆́хъ:
14–15(Vers. 14, 15.) You shall be confounded by your fruits (or by your boasting (because of the anger of the fury of the Lord (or by the reproach in the sight of the Lord). Thus says the Lord against all my wicked neighbors, who touch the inheritance which I have distributed to my people Israel: Behold, I will uproot them from their land and uproot the house of Judah (or cast them out) from among them. And when I have uprooted them, I will turn (or return) and have mercy on them, and I will bring them back (or make them dwell) man in his inheritance, and man in his land. It is said to them, to whom their own clergy and ecclesiastical order will not benefit, that they should be confounded by their own boasting and by reproach before the Lord. And it brings forth: against all my wicked neighbors, according to the letter, the neighbors of the holy land are the Edomites, Philistines, Moab, and Ammon. But according to the allegory, all heretics who are considered under the name of Christ are even more neighbors than the inhabitants of the holy land, who touch the inheritance of God and devastate it. And it is said of them that they shall be taken away from the midst of the land, and the house of Judah shall be taken away from their midst. Whoever is uprooted and freed from the jaws of the heretics will obtain the mercy of God, and they will be restored to their inheritance and their land.
Commentary on Jeremiah
And it shall come to pass, after I have cast them out, [that] I will return, and have mercy upon them, and will cause them to dwell every one in his inheritance, and every one in his land.
καὶ ἔσται μετὰ τὸ ἐκβαλεῖν με αὐτοὺς ἐπιστρέψω καὶ ἐλεήσω αὐτοὺς καὶ κατοικιῶ αὐτούς, ἕκαστον εἰς τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἕκαστον εἰς τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ.
и҆ бꙋ́детъ, є҆гда̀ и҆сто́ргнꙋ и҆̀хъ, ѡ҆бращꙋ́сѧ и҆ поми́лꙋю и҆̀хъ, и҆ вселю̀ и҆̀хъ кого́ждо въ достоѧ́нїе своѐ и҆ кого́ждо въ зе́млю свою̀:
Having foretold through these words [v. 15] of the return that would take place under Cyrus and Darius, he also teaches them in advance of the things that would take place after these things.
On Jeremiah 3:12
And it shall be, if they will indeed learn the way of my people, to swear by my name, [saying], The Lord lives; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall [that nation] be built in the midst of my people.
καὶ ἔσται ἐὰν μαθόντες μάθωσι τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ λαοῦ μου, τοῦ ὀμνύειν τῷ ὀνόματί μου, ζῇ Κύριος, καθὼς ἐδίδαξαν τὸν λαόν μου ὀμνύειν τῇ Βάαλ, καὶ οἰκοδομηθήσονται ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ λαοῦ μου·
и҆ бꙋ́детъ, а҆́ще ᲂу҆ча́щесѧ наꙋча́тсѧ пꙋтє́мъ люді́й мои́хъ, є҆́же клѧ́тисѧ и҆́менемъ мои́мъ, жи́въ гдⷭ҇ь, ꙗ҆́коже наꙋчи́ша люді́й мои́хъ клѧ́тисѧ ваа́ломъ, и҆ сози́ждꙋтсѧ посредѣ̀ люді́й мои́хъ:
16–17(Verse 16, 17.) And it shall come to pass, if the learned ones have learned the ways of my people, to swear in my name, as the Lord lives: just as they taught my people to swear by Baal, they shall be built up in the midst of my people. But if they do not listen, I will uproot that nation with destruction and annihilation, says the Lord. If those who have been translated from heresy into the Church have learned the ways of the people of God, and have sworn in the name of the Lord, and not in the name of the idols they themselves imagined, they shall be built up by the Lord, and they shall be a part of his people. But if those who have been translated into the Church hold on to the remnants of perverse doctrines and do not heed the words of the Lord, that people shall be uprooted from the midst of God's people, through perpetual destruction and removal, so that not a single place of repentance is left for them. We see this happening every day, and we have evidence that heretics, in order to deceive the simple-minded, pretend to uphold the truth of the faith, not so that they themselves may convert to the faith, but rather to lead the faithful into disbelief.
Commentary on Jeremiah
16–17He spoke also [vv. 16-17] of the utter rejection of the nation of the Jews, for "I will remove that nation by destruction, says the Lord."
On Jeremiah 3:12
But if they will not return, then will I cut off that nation with utter ruin and destruction.
ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἐπιστρέψωσι, καὶ ἐξαρῶ τὸ ἔθνος ἐκεῖνο ἐξάρσει καὶ ἀπωλείᾳ.
а҆́ще же не послꙋ́шаютъ, и҆сто́ргнꙋ ꙗ҆зы́къ ѻ҆́ный и҆сторга́нїемъ и҆ погꙋбле́нїемъ, речѐ гдⷭ҇ь.
Righteous art thou, O Lord, that I may make my defence to thee, yea, I will speak to thee [of] judgments. Why [is it] that the way of ungodly [men] prospers? [that] all that deal very treacherously are flourishing?
ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣ εἶ, Κύριε, ὅτι ἀπολογήσομαι πρὸς σέ, πλὴν κρίματα λαλήσω πρὸς σέ· τί ὅτι ὁδὸς ἀσεβῶν εὐοδοῦται, εὐθήνησαν πάντες οἱ ἀθετοῦντες ἀθετήματα;
Првⷣнъ є҆сѝ, гдⷭ҇и, ꙗ҆́кѡ ѿвѣща́ю къ тебѣ̀: ѻ҆ба́че сꙋдьбы̑ возглаго́лю къ тебѣ̀: что̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ пꙋ́ть нечести́выхъ спѣ́етсѧ, ᲂу҆гобзи́шасѧ всѝ творѧ́щїи беззакѡ́нїѧ;