Jeremiah 18:11
New International Version
“Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, ‘This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.’

New Living Translation
“Therefore, Jeremiah, go and warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.’”

English Standard Version
Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: ‘Thus says the LORD, Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds.’

Berean Standard Bible
Now therefore, tell the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I am planning a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways, and correct your ways and deeds.’

King James Bible
Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.

New King James Version
“Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.” ’ ”

New American Standard Bible
So now, speak to the men of Judah and against the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘This is what the LORD says: “Behold, I am forming a disaster against you and devising a plan against you. Now turn back, each of you from his evil way, and correct your ways and your deeds!”’

NASB 1995
“So now then, speak to the men of Judah and against the inhabitants of Jerusalem saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am fashioning calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh turn back, each of you from his evil way, and reform your ways and your deeds."’

NASB 1977
“So now then, speak to the men of Judah and against the inhabitants of Jerusalem saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am fashioning calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh turn back, each of you from his evil way, and reform your ways and your deeds.”’

Legacy Standard Bible
So now then, speak to the men of Judah and against the inhabitants of Jerusalem saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Behold, I am forming calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh turn back, each of you from his evil way, and do good in your ways and your deeds.”’

Amplified Bible
Now then, say to the men of Judah and to the citizens of Jerusalem, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am shaping a disaster and working out a plan against you. Turn back, each of you from his evil way; correct your habits and change your actions for the better.”’

Christian Standard Bible
So now, say to the men of Judah and to the residents of Jerusalem, ‘This is what the LORD says: Look, I am about to bring harm to you and make plans against you. Turn now, each from your evil way, and correct your ways and your deeds.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So now, say to the men of Judah and to the residents of Jerusalem: This is what the LORD says: I am about to bring harm to you and make plans against you. Turn now, each from your evil way, and correct your ways and your deeds.

American Standard Version
Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

Contemporary English Version
So listen to me, people of Judah and Jerusalem! I have decided to strike you with disaster, and I won't change my mind unless you stop sinning and start living right.

English Revised Version
Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD: Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Now say to the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem, 'This is what the LORD says: I'm going to prepare a disaster and make plans against you. Turn from your evil ways, change your lives, and do good.'

Good News Translation
Now then, tell the people of Judah and of Jerusalem that I am making plans against them and getting ready to punish them. Tell them to stop living sinful lives--to change their ways and the things they are doing.

International Standard Version
"Now say to the people of Judah and to the residents of Jerusalem, 'This is what the LORD says: "Look, I'm designing a disaster just for you, and I'm making plans against you. Each one of you must repent from his evil way. Make your ways and deeds right."'

Majority Standard Bible
Now therefore, tell the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I am planning a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways, and correct your ways and deeds.’

NET Bible
So now, tell the people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem this: The LORD says, 'I am preparing to bring disaster on you! I am making plans to punish you. So, every one of you, stop the evil things you have been doing. Correct the way you have been living and do what is right.'

New Heart English Bible
Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD: Look, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return now everyone from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.'

Webster's Bible Translation
Now therefore come, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.

World English Bible
“Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Yahweh says: “Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a plan against you. Everyone return from his evil way now, and amend your ways and your doings.”’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And now, speak now to men of Judah, "" And against inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, "" Thus said YHWH: Behold, I am framing calamity against you, "" And devising a scheme against you; Please turn back, each from his evil way, "" And amend your ways and your doings.”

Young's Literal Translation
And now, speak, I pray thee, unto men of Judah, And against inhabitants of Jerusalem, Saying: Thus said Jehovah: Lo, I am framing against you evil, And devising against you a device, Turn back, I pray you, each from his evil way And amen your ways and your doings.

Smith's Literal Translation
And now, say now to the men of Judah, and concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus said Jehovah: Behold, I will form evil against you, and purpose a purpose against you; turn ye back now each from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now therefore tell the men of Juda, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying: Thus saith the Lord: Behold I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: let every man of you return from his evil way, and make ye your ways and your doings good.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now, therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying: Thus says the Lord: Behold, I am forming an evil against you, and I am considering a plan against you. Let each one of you return from his evil way, and direct your ways and your intentions well.”

New American Bible
And now, tell this to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the LORD: Look, I am fashioning evil against you and making a plan. Return, all of you, from your evil way; reform your ways and your deeds.

New Revised Standard Version
Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the LORD: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says the LORD: Behold, I am bringing evil against you and I am devising a device against you; repent you now, and return every one from his evil way and make your ways and your doings good.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And now, say to the men of Judea and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: “Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: behold, I create evil against you and I devise ideas against you. Return and be converted, each man from his evil way, and make your ways and your works good”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now therefore do thou speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying: Thus saith the LORD: Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you; return ye now every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And now say to the men of Juda, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Behold, I prepare evils against you, and devise a device against you: let every one turn now from his evil way, and amend your practices.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Potter and the Clay
10and if it does evil in My sight and does not listen to My voice, then I will relent of the good I had intended for it. 11Now therefore, tell the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I am planning a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways, and correct your ways and deeds.’ 12But they will reply, ‘It is hopeless. We will follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’ ”…

Cross References
Isaiah 45:9
Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?

Isaiah 29:16
You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”?

Romans 9:20-21
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?

Isaiah 64:8
But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.

2 Timothy 2:20-21
A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. / So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.

Ezekiel 18:30-32
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

Hosea 14:1-2
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. / Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Amos 4:6-12
“I afflicted all your cities with cleanness of teeth and all your towns with lack of bread, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. / “I also withheld the rain from you when the harvest was three months away. I sent rain on one city but withheld it from another. One field received rain; another without rain withered. / People staggered from city to city for water to drink, but they were not satisfied; yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. ...

Zechariah 1:3-4
So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’ / Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Turn now from your evil ways and deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the LORD.

Matthew 3:2
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Luke 13:3-5
No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish. / Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam collapsed on them: Do you think that they were more sinful than all the others living in Jerusalem? / No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

Acts 17:30
Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.


Treasury of Scripture

Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus said the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return you now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.

go to.

Genesis 11:3,4,7
And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter…

2 Kings 5:5
And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.

Isaiah 5:5
And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:

and devise.

Jeremiah 18:18
Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.

Jeremiah 4:23
I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.

Jeremiah 11:19
But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

return.

Jeremiah 3:1,22
They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD…

Jeremiah 7:3
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.

Jeremiah 25:5
They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:

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Jeremiah 18
1. Under the type of a potter is shown God's absolute power in disposing of nations.
11. Judgments threatened to Judah for her strange revolt.
18. Jeremiah prays against his conspirators.














Now therefore, tell the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem
This phrase sets the stage for a direct and urgent message from God to His people. The "men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem" are specifically addressed, highlighting the historical context of the divided kingdom period. Judah, the southern kingdom, was often warned by prophets like Jeremiah due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience. The Hebrew word for "tell" (נָגַד, nagad) implies a declaration or announcement, emphasizing the seriousness and authority of the message being delivered.

This is what the LORD says
This phrase underscores the divine authority behind the message. The use of "LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh) is significant, as it is the covenant name of God, reminding the people of their special relationship with Him. It is a call to attention, indicating that what follows is not merely human opinion but a divine decree. The prophetic formula "This is what the LORD says" is a common introduction in prophetic literature, affirming the authenticity and urgency of the message.

I am devising a disaster against you and plotting a plan against you
Here, the words "devising" (חָשַׁב, chashab) and "plotting" (יָצַר, yatsar) convey the intentionality and deliberation of God's actions. The term "disaster" (רָעָה, ra'ah) can also be translated as "calamity" or "evil," not in a moral sense but as a judgment or consequence of sin. This reflects the justice of God, who responds to the persistent rebellion of His people. The historical context reveals that such warnings were fulfilled through invasions and exiles, notably by the Babylonians.

Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways
The call to "turn" (שׁוּב, shuv) is a central theme in prophetic literature, representing repentance and a return to God. It is an invitation to change direction, both individually ("each of you") and collectively. The "evil ways" (דֶּרֶךְ רָע, derek ra') refer to the sinful behaviors and idolatrous practices that had become prevalent in Judah. This plea for repentance is a testament to God's mercy and desire for restoration rather than destruction.

and correct your ways and deeds
The word "correct" (הֵיטִיב, heytiv) implies making right or improving one's conduct. "Ways" (דֶּרֶךְ, derek) and "deeds" (מַעֲלָל, ma'alal) encompass both the path one chooses in life and the specific actions taken. This call to moral and spiritual reformation is consistent with the covenantal expectations God had for His people. It highlights the possibility of redemption and the transformative power of genuine repentance.

(11) I frame evil.--The verb chosen is that which specially describes the potter's work, and from which the Hebrew word for potter is itself derived. This, so to speak, is the shape of the vessel actually in hand, determining its use, but its form is not unalterably fixed. It is shown in terrorem, and the people are invited to accept the warning by repentance.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now therefore,
וְעַתָּ֡ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

tell
אֱמָר־ (’ĕ·mār-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the men
אִישׁ־ (’îš-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Judah
יְהוּדָה֩ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

residents
יוֹשְׁבֵ֨י (yō·wō·šə·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

of Jerusalem
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

that this is what
כֹּ֚ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says:
לֵאמֹ֗ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Behold,
הִנֵּ֨ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

I
אָנֹכִ֜י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

am planning
יוֹצֵ֤ר (yō·w·ṣêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3335: To mould into a, form, as a, potter, to determine

a disaster
רָעָ֔ה (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

for you
עֲלֵיכֶם֙ (‘ă·lê·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and devising
וְחֹשֵׁ֥ב (wə·ḥō·šêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2803: To think, account

a plan
מַֽחֲשָׁבָ֑ה (ma·ḥă·šā·ḇāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan

against you.
עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם (‘ă·lê·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Turn
שׁ֣וּבוּ (šū·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

now,
נָ֣א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

each of you,
אִ֚ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

from your evil
הָֽרָעָ֔ה (hā·rā·‘āh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

ways,
מִדַּרְכּ֣וֹ (mid·dar·kōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

and correct
וְהֵיטִ֥יבוּ (wə·hê·ṭî·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing

your ways
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם (ḏar·ḵê·ḵem)
Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

and deeds.?
וּמַעַלְלֵיכֶֽם׃ (ū·ma·‘al·lê·ḵem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 4611: A deed, practice


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 18:11 Now therefore speak to the men (Jer.)
Jeremiah 18:10
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