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Neither are you able to do good--you who are accustomed to doing evil." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jeremiah/13-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jeremiah/13-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/13.htm">Chapter 13</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/13-22.htm" title="Jeremiah 13:22">◄</a> Jeremiah 13:23 <a href="/jeremiah/13-24.htm" title="Jeremiah 13:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/13.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Can an Ethiopian change the color of his skin? Can a leopard take away its spots? Neither can you start doing good, for you have always done evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither are you able to do good—you who are accustomed to doing evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? <i>then</i> may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? <i>Then</i> may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, Or the leopard his spots? <i>Then</i> you as well can do good Who are accustomed to doing evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the leopard his spots? Then you also can do good Who are accustomed to doing evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the leopard his spots? <i>Then</i> you also can do good Who are accustomed to doing evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the leopard his spots? <i>Then</i> you also can do good Who are accustomed to doing evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the leopard his spots? Then you also can do good Who are accustomed to evil <i>and</i> even trained to do it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can the Cushite change his skin, or a leopard his spots? If so, you might be able to do what is good, you who are instructed in evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can the Cushite change his skin, or a leopard his spots? If so, you might be able to do what is good, you who are instructed in evil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Can you ever change and do what's right? Can people change the color of their skin, or can a leopard remove its spots? If so, then maybe you can change and learn to do right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Can Ethiopians change the color of their skin or leopards change their spots? Can you do good when you're taught to do wrong?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Can people change the color of their skin, or a leopard remove its spots? If they could, then you that do nothing but evil could learn to do what is right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Can an Ethiopian change his skin, or a leopard his spots? Then you who are trained to do evil will also be able to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither are you able to do good?you who are accustomed to doing evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But there is little hope for you ever doing good, you who are so accustomed to doing evil. Can an Ethiopian change the color of his skin? Can a leopard remove its spots? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Does a Cushite change his skin? And a leopard his spots? Can you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Doth a Cushite change his skin? and a leopard his spots? Ye also are able to do good, who are accustomed to do evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Will the Cushite change his skin and the panther his variegated spots? Ye shall also be able to do good, being taught to do evil.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If the Ethiopian can change his skin, or the leopard his spots: you may also do well, when you have learned evil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If the Ethiopian is able to change his skin, or the leopard is able to change his spots, then you also may be able to do well, though you have learned evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Can Ethiopians change their skin, leopards their spots? As easily would you be able to do good, accustomed to evil as you are. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Can Ethiopians change their skin or leopards their spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Just as a Hindu cannot change his skin or a leopard his spots, you also cannot do good because you are accustomed to do evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And as an Indian cannot change his skin or a leopard his spots, also you cannot do good, because you have learned evil<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Can the Ethiopian change his skin, Or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, That are accustomed to do evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />If the Ethiopian shall change his skin, or the leopardess her spots, then shall ye be able to do good, having learnt evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/13-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=4097" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/13.htm">Captivity Threatened</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>And if you ask yourself, “Why has this happened to me?” It is because of the magnitude of your iniquity that your skirts have been stripped off and your body has been exposed. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3569.htm" title="3569: kū·šî (N-proper-ms) -- Desc. of Cush. Patronymically from Kuwsh; a Cushite, or descendant of Cush.">Can the Ethiopian</a> <a href="/hebrew/2015.htm" title="2015: hă·ya·hă·p̄ōḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To turn, overturn. A primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert.">change</a> <a href="/hebrew/5785.htm" title="5785: ‘ō·w·rōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A skin. From uwr; skin; by implication, hide, leather.">his skin,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5246.htm" title="5246: wə·nā·mêr (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- From an unused root meaning properly, to filtrate, i.e. Be limpid; and thus to spot or stain as if by dripping; a leopard.">or the leopard</a> <a href="/hebrew/2272.htm" title="2272: ḥă·ḇar·bu·rō·ṯāw (N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Stripe, mark. By reduplication from chabar; a streak, as on the tiger.">his spots?</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">Neither</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">are you</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: tū·ḵə·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally.">able</a> <a href="/hebrew/3190.htm" title="3190: lə·hê·ṭîḇ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To be good, well, glad, or pleasing. A primitive root; to be make well, literally or figuratively.">to do good—</a> <a href="/hebrew/3928.htm" title="3928: lim·mu·ḏê (Adj-mpc) -- Taught. Or limmud; from lamad; instructed.">you who are accustomed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7489.htm" title="7489: hā·rê·a‘ (V-Hifil-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to spoil; figuratively, to make good for nothing, i.e. Bad.">to doing evil.</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>“I will scatter you like chaff driven by the desert wind.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-9.htm">Romans 3:9-12</a></span><br />What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin. / As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-5.htm">Isaiah 1:5-6</a></span><br />Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep rebelling? Your head has a massive wound, and your whole heart is afflicted. / From the sole of your foot to the top of your head, there is no soundness—only wounds and welts and festering sores neither cleansed nor bandaged nor soothed with oil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16-18</a></span><br />By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. / A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-4.htm">Job 14:4</a></span><br />Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-34.htm">John 8:34</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/27-22.htm">Proverbs 27:22</a></span><br />Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-14.htm">2 Peter 2:14</a></span><br />Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a></span><br />Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Romans 7:18-19</a></span><br />I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. / For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8</a></span><br />If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a></span><br />I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5</a></span><br />Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a></span><br />The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-1.htm">Ephesians 2:1-3</a></span><br />And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, / in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. / All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a></span><br />Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may you also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.</p><p class="hdg">Ethiopian.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/2-22.htm">Jeremiah 2:22,30</a></b></br> For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, <i>yet</i> thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/5-3.htm">Jeremiah 5:3</a></b></br> O LORD, <i>are</i> not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, <i>but</i> they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/6-29.htm">Jeremiah 6:29,30</a></b></br> The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away… </p><p class="hdg">accustomed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/9-5.htm">Jeremiah 9:5</a></b></br> And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, <i>and</i> weary themselves to commit iniquity.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm">Able</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-33.htm">Accustomed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-5.htm">Change</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-5.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-9.htm">Cushite</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-9.htm">Ethiopian</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-10.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-10.htm">Good</a> <a href="/revelation/13-2.htm">Leopard</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-7.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/psalms/102-5.htm">Skin</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-37.htm">Spots</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-21.htm">Trained</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/14-9.htm">Able</a> <a href="/matthew/27-15.htm">Accustomed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/26-13.htm">Change</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-8.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-7.htm">Cushite</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-7.htm">Ethiopian</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-7.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-11.htm">Good</a> <a href="/daniel/7-6.htm">Leopard</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-4.htm">Skin</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-13.htm">Spots</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-31.htm">Trained</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/13-1.htm">By the type of a linen belt, hidden at Euphrates, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/13-9.htm">God prefigures the destruction of his people.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/13-12.htm">By the parable of bottles filled with wine he foretells their drunkenness in misery.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/13-15.htm">He exhorts to prevent their future judgments.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/13-22.htm">He shows their abominations are the cause thereof.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Can the Ethiopian change his skin</b><br>This phrase uses a rhetorical question to illustrate the impossibility of changing one's inherent nature. The term "Ethiopian" refers to a person from Cush, a region south of Egypt, known for its dark-skinned inhabitants. In biblical times, Cushites were recognized for their distinct appearance, which was unchangeable. This serves as a metaphor for the deeply ingrained sinful nature of humanity. The Bible often uses physical characteristics to symbolize spiritual truths, emphasizing that just as a person cannot alter their skin color, so too is it impossible for humans to change their sinful nature without divine intervention.<p><b>or the leopard his spots?</b><br>The leopard's spots are another metaphor for something that is innate and unchangeable. In the ancient Near East, leopards were known for their distinctive and unalterable markings. This imagery reinforces the idea of the permanence of one's nature. The use of animals in biblical literature often conveys moral or spiritual lessons, and here it underscores the futility of attempting to change one's inherent tendencies through human effort alone. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Romans 7:18-19</a>, where Paul discusses the struggle against sin.<p><b>Neither are you able to do good—</b><br>This part of the verse highlights the moral incapacity of the people to perform good deeds on their own. It reflects the biblical teaching of the fallen state of humanity, as seen in passages like <a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10-12</a>, which declare that no one is righteous. The inability to do good is not just a matter of choice but of nature, emphasizing the need for a transformation that only God can provide. This aligns with the doctrine of original sin, which posits that all humans are born with a sinful nature inherited from Adam.<p><b>you who are accustomed to doing evil.</b><br>The phrase "accustomed to doing evil" suggests a habitual practice of sinning, indicating that the people have become so entrenched in their sinful ways that it has become second nature. This reflects the cultural and historical context of Judah during Jeremiah's time, where idolatry and moral corruption were rampant. The prophetic ministry of Jeremiah often called out the persistent disobedience of the people, urging them to repent. This habitual sinfulness points to the need for a new heart and spirit, as prophesied in <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26</a>, which foreshadows the transformative work of Christ in the New Covenant.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and calls for repentance to the people of Judah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/ethiopian.htm">Ethiopian</a></b><br>Refers to a person from Cush, a region south of Egypt, known for its dark-skinned inhabitants. This serves as a metaphor for something unchangeable.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/leopard.htm">Leopard</a></b><br>A wild animal known for its distinctive spots, used here as a metaphor for inherent characteristics that cannot be altered.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, to whom Jeremiah directed his prophecies, warning them of impending judgment due to their persistent sin.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The impending event that Jeremiah warns about, where the people of Judah would be taken captive due to their disobedience.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/inherent_sinfulness.htm">Inherent Sinfulness</a></b><br>This verse illustrates the deep-rooted nature of sin in humanity, akin to unchangeable physical traits.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/n/need_for_divine_intervention.htm">Need for Divine Intervention</a></b><br>Just as a leopard cannot change its spots, humans cannot change their sinful nature without God's help.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>Recognizing our inability to change on our own should lead us to repentance and reliance on God's grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_transformation.htm">Hope in Transformation</a></b><br>While we cannot change ourselves, God offers transformation through the Holy Spirit, making us new creations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>This passage encourages believers to depend on God for the strength and ability to live righteously.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_the_bible's_cushites.htm">Who are the Cushites mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_song_1_5-6_show_cultural_inconsistencies.htm">Song of Solomon 1:5–6 emphasizes the speaker’s dark complexion and social status. Does this suggest cultural or ethnic inconsistencies with known historical contexts? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_plowing_the_sea_literal_or_metaphor.htm">In Amos 6:12, is plowing the sea a literal impossibility or a misunderstood metaphor that undermines the text’s credibility? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jer._13_23's_analogy_flawed_insensitive.htm">(Jeremiah 13:23) Is the analogy of an Ethiopian changing his skin or a leopard its spots scientifically flawed and culturally insensitive?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">Can the Ethiopian . . .?</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">the Cushite. </span>The meaning of the question is obvious. The evil of Judah was too deep-ingrained to be capable of spontaneous reformation. There remained nothing but the sharp discipline of the exile. The invasion of Tirhakah and Pharaoh-nechoh, the presence of Ethiopians among the servants of the royal household (<a href="/jeremiah/38-10.htm" title="Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with you, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.">Jeremiah 38:10</a>), the intercourse with the upper valley of the Nile implied in <a href="/zephaniah/3-10.htm" title="From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring my offering.">Zephaniah 3:10</a> and <a href="/psalms/68-31.htm" title="Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands to God.">Psalm 68:31</a>; <a href="/psalms/87-4.htm" title="I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.">Psalm 87:4</a>, had made the swarthy forms of Africa familiar objects. Possibly the use of leopard-skins by Ethiopian princes and warriors, as seen on Egyptian monuments and described by Herodotus (vii. 69), had associated the two thoughts together in the prophet's mind. If the king's household were present (as in <a href="/jeremiah/13-18.htm" title="Say to the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.">Jeremiah 13:18</a>), he may have pointed to such an one, Ebedmelech (<a href="/jeremiah/38-10.htm" title="Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with you, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.">Jeremiah 38:10</a>), or another so arrayed, in illustration of his words. . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/13-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Can the Ethiopian</span><br /><span class="heb">כּוּשִׁי֙</span> <span class="translit">(kū·šî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3569.htm">Strong's 3569: </a> </span><span class="str2">Cushite -- descendant of Cush</span><br /><br /><span class="word">change</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲיַהֲפֹ֤ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(hă·ya·hă·p̄ōḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2015.htm">Strong's 2015: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his skin,</span><br /><span class="heb">עוֹר֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·w·rōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5785.htm">Strong's 5785: </a> </span><span class="str2">Skin, hide, leather</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or the leopard</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָמֵ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·mêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5246.htm">Strong's 5246: </a> </span><span class="str2">A leopard</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his spots?</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲבַרְבֻּרֹתָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·ḇar·bu·rō·ṯāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2272.htm">Strong's 2272: </a> </span><span class="str2">A streak, as on the tiger</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Neither</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are you</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתֶּם֙</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">able</span><br /><span class="heb">תּוּכְל֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(tū·ḵə·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3201.htm">Strong's 3201: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be able, have power</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to do good—</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהֵיטִ֔יב</span> <span class="translit">(lə·hê·ṭîḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3190.htm">Strong's 3190: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be good, well, glad, or pleasing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you who are accustomed</span><br /><span class="heb">לִמֻּדֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(lim·mu·ḏê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3928.htm">Strong's 3928: </a> </span><span class="str2">Instructed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to doing evil.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרֵֽעַ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rê·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7489.htm">Strong's 7489: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/13-23.htm">Jeremiah 13:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/13-23.htm">Jeremiah 13:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/13-23.htm">Jeremiah 13:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/13-23.htm">Jeremiah 13:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/13-23.htm">Jeremiah 13:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/13-23.htm">Jeremiah 13:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/13-23.htm">Jeremiah 13:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/13-23.htm">Jeremiah 13:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/13-23.htm">Jeremiah 13:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/13-23.htm">Jeremiah 13:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/13-23.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/13-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 13:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 13:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/13-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 13:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 13:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>