[1] The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth. [2] Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up. [3] And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads. [4] Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads. [5] Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass. [6] And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because there was no grass. [7] O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee. [8] O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? [9] Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not. [10] Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins. [11] Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good. [12] When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.