Jeremiah 42:20 net — You are making a fatal mistake. For you sent me to the LORD your God and asked me,‘Pray to the LORD our God for us. Tel…

NET Bible

"You are making a fatal mistake. For you sent me to the LORD your God and asked me,‘Pray to the LORD our God for us. Tell us what the LORD our God says and we will do it.’"

— Jeremiah 42:20, NET Bible

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Jeremiah 42:20 in Other Translations

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Jeremiah 42 — Context

17

All the people who are determined to go and settle in Egypt will die from war, starvation, or disease. No one will survive or escape the disaster I will bring on them.’

18

For the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel says,‘If you go to Egypt, I will pour out my wrath on you just as I poured out my anger and wrath on the citizens of Jerusalem. You will become an object of horror and ridicule, an example of those who have been cursed and that people use in pronouncing a curse. You will never see this place again.’

19

“The LORD has told you people who remain in Judah,‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Be very sure of this: I warn you here and now.

20

You are making a fatal mistake. For you sent me to the LORD your God and asked me,‘Pray to the LORD our God for us. Tell us what the LORD our God says and we will do it.’

21

This day I have told you what he said. But you do not want to obey the LORD your God by doing what he sent me to tell you.

22

So now be very sure of this: You will die from war, starvation, or disease in the place where you want to go and live.”

Jeremiah 42:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Jeremiah 42:20 say?
Jeremiah 42:20 in the NET Bible reads: “You are making a fatal mistake. For you sent me to the LORD your God and asked me,‘Pray to the LORD our God for us. Tell us what the LORD our God says and we will do it.’”
Where is Jeremiah 42:20 in the Bible?
Jeremiah 42:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Jeremiah, chapter 42, verse 20.
Who wrote Jeremiah?
Jeremiah is traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, with scribal help from Baruch. It was written c. 627–580 BC.
What is the book of Jeremiah about?
Jeremiah, the "weeping prophet," ministered through Judah's slow-motion collapse — pleading with kings and people to repent, suffering imprisonment for his message, and ultimately watching Jerusalem fall. Yet in the midst of judgment he promises a new covenant written on the heart.
What are the major themes of Jeremiah?
Jeremiah explores themes including Judgment, Repentance, New Covenant, Suffering Prophet, Hope. These themes shape the meaning and context of Jeremiah 42:20.
What translation should I read Jeremiah 42:20 in?
Jeremiah 42:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Jeremiah 42:20?
Jeremiah 42:20 reads (NET): “You are making a fatal mistake. For you sent me to the LORD your God and asked me,‘Pray to the LORD our God for us. Tell us what the LORD our God says and we will do it.’” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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