Jeremiah 6:21
New International Version
Therefore this is what the LORD says: “I will put obstacles before this people. Parents and children alike will stumble over them; neighbors and friends will perish.”

New Living Translation
Therefore, this is what the LORD says: “I will put obstacles in my people’s path. Fathers and sons will both fall over them. Neighbors and friends will die together.”

English Standard Version
Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will lay before this people stumbling blocks against which they shall stumble; fathers and sons together, neighbor and friend shall perish.’”

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore this is what the LORD says: “I will lay stumbling blocks before this people; fathers and sons alike will be staggered; friends and neighbors will perish.”

King James Bible
Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.

New King James Version
Therefore thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people, And the fathers and the sons together shall fall on them. The neighbor and his friend shall perish.”

New American Standard Bible
Therefore, this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I am placing stumbling blocks before this people. And they will stumble against them, Fathers and sons together; Neighbor and friend will perish.”

NASB 1995
Therefore, thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am laying stumbling blocks before this people. And they will stumble against them, Fathers and sons together; Neighbor and friend will perish.”

NASB 1977
Therefore, thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am laying stumbling blocks before this people. And they will stumble against them, Fathers and sons together; Neighbor and friend will perish.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore, thus says Yahweh, “Behold, I am laying stumbling blocks before this people. And they will stumble against them, Fathers and sons together; Neighbor and friend will perish.”

Amplified Bible
Therefore, thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am laying stumbling blocks before this people. The fathers and the sons together Will stumble against them; The neighbor and his friend will perish.”

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I am going to place stumbling blocks before these people; fathers and sons together will stumble over them; friends and neighbors will also perish.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I am going to place stumbling blocks before these people; fathers and sons together will stumble over them; friends and neighbors will also perish.

American Standard Version
Therefore thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will lay stumbling-blocks before this people; and the fathers and the sons together shall stumble against them; the neighbor and his friend shall perish.

Contemporary English Version
So I will put stumbling blocks in your path, and everyone will die, including parents and children, neighbors and friends.

English Revised Version
Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people: and the fathers and the sons together shall stumble against them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD says: I'm going to lay stumbling blocks in front of these people. Parents and children will stumble over them. Neighbors and their friends will die.

Good News Translation
And so I will make these people stumble and fall. Parents and children will die, and so will friends and neighbors."

International Standard Version
Therefore, this is what the LORD says: "I'm about to put stumbling blocks in front of this people, and fathers and sons will stumble over them together. The neighbor and his friends will perish."

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore this is what the LORD says: ?I will lay stumbling blocks before this people; fathers and sons alike will be staggered; friends and neighbors will perish.?

NET Bible
So, this is what the LORD says: 'I will assuredly make these people stumble to their doom. Parents and children will stumble and fall to their destruction. Friends and neighbors will die.'

New Heart English Bible
Therefore thus says the LORD, 'Look, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people. The fathers and the sons together shall stumble against them. The neighbor and his friend shall perish.'

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumbling-blocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbor and his friend shall perish.

World English Bible
Therefore Yahweh says, “Behold, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people. The fathers and the sons together will stumble against them. The neighbor and his friend will perish.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore, thus said YHWH: “Behold, I give stumbling blocks to this people, "" And fathers and sons have stumbled against them together, "" The neighbor and his friend perish.”

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore thus said Jehovah: Lo, I do give to this people stumbling blocks, And stumbled against them have fathers and sons together, The neighbour and his friend do perish.

Smith's Literal Translation
For this, thus said Jehovah, Behold me giving to this people stumbling blocks, and they stumbled upon them, the fathers and sons together; the inhabitant and his neighbor shall perish
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore thus saith the Lord: Behold, I will bring destruction upon this people, by which fathers and sons together shall fall, neighbor and kinsman shall perish.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, thus says the Lord: “Behold I will bring this people to utter ruin, and they will fall, with their fathers and sons; neighbor and relative will perish together.”

New American Bible
Therefore, thus says the LORD: See, I will place before this people obstacles to trip them up; Parents and children alike, neighbors and friends shall perish.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore thus says the LORD: See, I am laying before this people stumbling blocks against which they shall stumble; parents and children together, neighbor and friend shall perish.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore thus says the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; and the neighbor and his friend shall perish.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, thus says LORD JEHOVAH: “Behold, I give this people stumbling blocks, and parents and children shall be stumbled on them together, and neighbor and his friend shall be destroyed”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore thus saith the LORD: Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, And the fathers and the sons together shall stumble against them, The neighbour and his friend, and they shall perish.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring weakness upon this people, and the fathers and sons shall be weak together; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jerusalem's Final Warning
20What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please Me.” 21Therefore this is what the LORD says: “I will lay stumbling blocks before this people; fathers and sons alike will be staggered; friends and neighbors will perish.”

Cross References
Isaiah 8:14-15
And He will be a sanctuary—but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare. / Many will stumble over these; they will fall and be broken; they will be ensnared and captured.”

Ezekiel 3:20
Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. And I will hold you responsible for his blood.

Isaiah 57:14
And it will be said, “Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people.”

1 Peter 2:8
and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.

Romans 9:32-33
Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, / as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

Isaiah 28:13
Then the word of the LORD to them will become: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there,” so that they will go stumbling backward and will be injured, ensnared, and captured.

Matthew 21:44
He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

1 Corinthians 1:23
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

Isaiah 8:14
And He will be a sanctuary—but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare.

Luke 2:34
Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

Ezekiel 7:19
They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem unclean. Their silver and gold cannot save them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their appetites or fill their stomachs with wealth, for it became the stumbling block that brought their iniquity.

Isaiah 3:8
For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen because they spoke and acted against the LORD, defying His glorious presence.

Hosea 14:9
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.

Proverbs 4:19
But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore thus said the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall on them; the neighbor and his friend shall perish.

I will.

Jeremiah 13:16
Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.

Isaiah 8:14
And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 3:20
Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

fathers.

Jeremiah 9:21,22
For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets…

Jeremiah 15:2-9
And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity…

Jeremiah 16:3-9
For thus saith the LORD concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land; …

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Jeremiah 6
1. The enemies sent against Judah,
4. encourage themselves.
6. God sets them on work because of their sins.
9. The prophet laments the judgments of God because of their sins.
18. He proclaims God's wrath.
26. He calls the people to mourn for the judgment on their sins.














Therefore this is what the LORD says
The phrase begins with "Therefore," indicating a conclusion or consequence based on prior statements. In the context of Jeremiah, God has been warning Israel of impending judgment due to their persistent disobedience and idolatry. "The LORD" here is the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing His authority and the seriousness of His pronouncement. This is not merely a human prediction but a divine declaration, underscoring the certainty and gravity of the message.

I will lay stumbling blocks before this people
The "stumbling blocks" symbolize obstacles or challenges that will cause the people to falter. In Hebrew, the word for stumbling block is "mikshol," which can refer to anything that causes one to trip or fall. Spiritually, it represents the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. Historically, these stumbling blocks could be seen as the invading armies or internal strife that would lead to Judah's downfall. Theologically, it serves as a reminder that sin has tangible consequences, and God, in His justice, allows these to unfold as a means of correction.

fathers and sons alike will be staggered
This phrase highlights the comprehensive nature of the judgment. "Fathers and sons" indicates that the consequences of sin will affect all generations, emphasizing the communal aspect of Israel's covenant relationship with God. The word "staggered" suggests being overwhelmed or unable to stand firm, reflecting the disorientation and helplessness that comes from being under divine judgment. It serves as a sobering reminder of the far-reaching impact of sin and the importance of intergenerational faithfulness.

neighbors and friends will perish
The inclusion of "neighbors and friends" expands the scope of the judgment beyond family to the broader community. The word "perish" is a stark term that denotes complete destruction or death. In the historical context, this likely refers to the devastation brought by the Babylonian invasion, which would not spare even the closest social bonds. Spiritually, it underscores the idea that sin not only affects the individual but also the community, leading to widespread ruin. This serves as a call to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness to avoid such dire consequences.

(21) And the fathers and the sons together . . .--Better, I give unto this people stumbling blocks, and they shall stumble over them: fathers and sons together, neighbour and his friend, shall perish.

Verse 21. - I will lay stumbling-blocks, etc, Of the regenerate Israel of the future it is prophesied (Isaiah 54:15) that his enemies shall "fall upon him [or, 'by reason of him']." Of the unregenerate Israel of the present, that he shall "fall" (i.e. come to ruin) upon the "stumbling-blocks" presented, not without God's appointment, by the terrible northern invader.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Therefore,
לָכֵ֗ן (lā·ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

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:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I will lay
נֹתֵ֛ן (nō·ṯên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

stumbling blocks
מִכְשֹׁלִ֑ים (miḵ·šō·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4383: A stumbling, means or occasion of stumbling, a stumbling block

before
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

this
הַזֶּ֖ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

people;
הָעָ֥ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

fathers
אָב֨וֹת (’ā·ḇō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

and sons
וּבָנִ֥ים (ū·ḇā·nîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

alike
יַחְדָּ֛ו (yaḥ·dāw)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

will be staggered;
וְכָ֣שְׁלוּ (wə·ḵā·šə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3782: To totter, waver, to falter, stumble, faint, fall

friends
וְרֵע֖וֹ (wə·rê·‘ōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

and neighbors
שָׁכֵ֥ן (šā·ḵên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7934: A resident, a fellow-citizen

will perish.”
וְאָבָֽדוּ׃ (wə·’ā·ḇā·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 6:21 Therefore thus says Yahweh Behold I will (Jer.)
Jeremiah 6:20
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