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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 4:14 Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/4-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/24_Jer_04_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 4:14 - Disaster from the North" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. 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How long will you harbor wicked thoughts?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, cleanse your heart that you may be saved. How long will you harbor your evil thoughts?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil, that you may be saved. How long shall your wicked thoughts lodge within you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, That you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wash your heart from evil, Jerusalem, So that you may be saved. How long will your wicked thoughts Lodge within you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Wash your heart from evil, O Jerusalem, That you may be saved. How long will your wicked thoughts Lodge within you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Wash your heart from evil, O Jerusalem, That you may be saved. How long will your wicked thoughts Lodge within you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Wash your heart from evil, O Jerusalem, That you may be saved. How long will your wicked thoughts Lodge within you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, That you may be saved. How long will your wicked <i>and</i> immoral thoughts Lodge within you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wash the evil from your heart, Jerusalem, so that you will be delivered. How long will you harbor malicious thoughts?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wash the evil from your heart, Jerusalem, so that you will be delivered. How long will you harbor malicious thoughts within you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, wash thy heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thine evil thoughts lodge within thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But Jerusalem, there is still time for you to be saved. Wash the evil from your hearts and stop making sinful plans, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thine evil thoughts lodge within thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart so that you may be rescued. Don't continue making evil plans.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart, so that you may be saved. How long will you go on thinking sinful thoughts? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jerusalem, wash your evil from your heart so that you may be delivered. How long will you harbor evil schemes within you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Oh people of Jerusalem, purify your hearts from evil so that you may yet be delivered. How long will you continue to harbor up wicked schemes within you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, wash thy heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long will your evil thoughts lodge within you? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Wash evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, "" That you may be saved, "" Until when do you lodge in your heart "" Thoughts of your strength?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Wash from evil thy heart, O Jerusalem, That thou mayest be saved, Till when dost thou lodge in thy heart Thoughts of thy strength?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, wash from evil to thy heart so that thou shalt be saved. How long shall purposes of thy vanity lodge in the midst of thee?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Wash thy heart from wickedness, O Jerusalem, that thou mayst be saved: how long shall hurtful thoughts abide in thee? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Wash your heart from malice, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will harmful thoughts abide in you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Cleanse your heart of evil, Jerusalem, that you may be saved. How long will you entertain wicked schemes? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, wash your heart clean of wickedness so that you may be saved. How long shall your evil schemes lodge within you?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts remain in you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Wash your heart from evil, Jerusalem, so that you may be saved! How long will your evil intentions stay within you?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, wash thy heart from wickedness, That thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy baleful thoughts Lodge within thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Cleanse thine heart from wickedness, O Jerusalem, that thou mayest be saved: how long will thy grievous thoughts be within thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/4-14.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=1145" 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/4.htm">Disaster from the North</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined! <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3526.htm" title="3526: kab·bə·sî (V-Piel-Imp-fs) -- To wash. A primitive root; to trample; hence, to wash, whether literal or figurative.">Wash</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: mê·rā·‘āh (Prep-m:: Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">the evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bêḵ (N-msc:: 2fs) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">from your heart,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: yə·rū·šā·lim (N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">O Jerusalem,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4616.htm" title="4616: lə·ma·‘an (Conj) -- From anah; properly, heed, i.e. Purpose; used only adverbially, on account of, teleologically, in order that.">so that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3467.htm" title="3467: tiw·wā·šê·‘î (V-Nifal-Imperf-2fs) -- To deliver. A primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. to be safe; causatively, to free or succor.">you may be saved.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">How long</a> <a href="/hebrew/4970.htm" title="4970: mā·ṯay (Interrog) -- When?. From an unused root meaning to extend; properly, extent; but used only adverbially, when."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3885.htm" title="3885: tā·lîn (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- Or liyn; a primitive root; to stop; by implication, to stay permanently; hence to be obstinate.">will you harbor</a> <a href="/hebrew/205.htm" title="205: ’ō·w·nêḵ (N-msc:: 2fs) -- From an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant; strictly nothingness; also trouble. Vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol.">wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/4284.htm" title="4284: maḥ·šə·ḇō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- Thought, device. Or machashebeth; from chashab; a contrivance, i.e. a texture, machine, or intention, plan.">thoughts</a> <a href="/hebrew/7130.htm" title="7130: bə·qir·bêḵ (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 2fs) -- Inward part, midst. From qarab; properly, the nearest part, i.e. The center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial.">within you?</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>For a voice resounds from Dan, proclaiming disaster from the hills of Ephraim.…<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="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Isaiah 1:16</a></span><br />Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-8.htm">James 4:8</a></span><br />Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Psalm 51:10</a></span><br />Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-31.htm">Ezekiel 18:31</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-26.htm">Matthew 23:26</a></span><br />Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Isaiah 55:7</a></span><br />Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/7-1.htm">2 Corinthians 7:1</a></span><br />Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Hosea 10:12</a></span><br />Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a></span><br />Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a></span><br />Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23</a></span><br />Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-9.htm">1 John 1:9</a></span><br />If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-40.htm">Lamentations 3:40</a></span><br />Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-8.htm">Matthew 5:8</a></span><br />Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your vain thoughts lodge within you?</p><p class="hdg">wash</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Isaiah 1:16-19</a></b></br> Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Isaiah 55:7</a></b></br> Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/18-31.htm">Ezekiel 18:31</a></b></br> Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?</p><p class="hdg">how long</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/13-27.htm">Jeremiah 13:27</a></b></br> I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, <i>and</i> thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when <i>shall it</i> once <i>be</i>?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/66-18.htm">Psalm 66:18</a></b></br> If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear <i>me</i>:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-113.htm">Psalm 119:113</a></b></br> SAMECH. I hate <i>vain</i> thoughts: but thy law do I love.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/66-20.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-6.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-10.htm">Harbor</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-9.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-11.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-4.htm">Lodge</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-9.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-2.htm">Purposes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-23.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/isaiah/64-5.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-15.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-18.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-23.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-22.htm">Wash</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-33.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-2.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-11.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/13-27.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-15.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/acts/27-12.htm">Harbor</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-18.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-16.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-7.htm">Lodge</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-27.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-11.htm">Purposes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-20.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-20.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-13.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-19.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-30.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-9.htm">Wash</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-15.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-19.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/4-1.htm">God calls Israel by his promise</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/4-3.htm">He exhorts Judah to repentance by fearful judgments</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/4-19.htm">A grievous lamentation for Judah</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/4.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/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem,</b><br>This phrase calls for a spiritual cleansing, emphasizing the need for inner purity rather than mere external rituals. In the Old Testament, washing often symbolizes purification (<a href="/psalms/51-2.htm">Psalm 51:2</a>, <a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Isaiah 1:16</a>). The heart, in Hebrew thought, represents the center of one's being, including mind, will, and emotions. Jerusalem, as the capital city, symbolizes the entire nation of Judah. The call to wash away evil suggests repentance and turning back to God, aligning with the prophetic tradition of urging Israel to return to covenant faithfulness.<p><b>so that you may be saved.</b><br>Salvation here is both physical and spiritual. Historically, Jeremiah prophesied during a time when Judah faced imminent threat from Babylon. The call to repentance is linked to the hope of deliverance from impending judgment. Spiritually, salvation implies restoration of the relationship with God. This reflects the broader biblical theme of salvation through repentance and faith, seen in both Old and New Testaments (<a href="/isaiah/45-22.htm">Isaiah 45:22</a>, <a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a>).<p><b>How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you?</b><br>This rhetorical question highlights the persistent sinfulness and rebellion of the people. "Wicked thoughts" indicate not just actions but the underlying attitudes and intentions that lead to sin. The persistence of these thoughts suggests a deep-seated resistance to God's will. This echoes the biblical theme of the human heart's deceitfulness (<a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a>) and the need for transformation, which is ultimately fulfilled in the New Covenant promise of a new heart (<a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26</a>, <a href="/hebrews/8-10.htm">Hebrews 8:10</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings and was marked by his deep emotional connection to his people and his unwavering commitment to God's truth.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The capital city of Judah, representing the heart of the nation both politically and spiritually. It is often used symbolically in the Bible to represent the people of God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent sin and rebellion against God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wicked_thoughts.htm">Wicked Thoughts</a></b><br>The internal sinful inclinations and intentions that lead to outward disobedience and rebellion against God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/salvation.htm">Salvation</a></b><br>In this context, it refers to deliverance from impending judgment and destruction due to sin.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>God desires genuine repentance, which involves a transformation of the heart. This is not merely about external actions but a deep, internal cleansing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_harboring_sin.htm">The Danger of Harboring Sin</a></b><br>Holding onto wicked thoughts and intentions can lead to spiritual destruction. We must be vigilant in examining our hearts and minds.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_heart_in_sin.htm">The Role of the Heart in Sin</a></b><br>Sin often begins in the heart with our thoughts and desires. We must guard our hearts diligently, as they are the wellspring of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_salvation.htm">The Urgency of Salvation</a></b><br>The call to wash the evil from our hearts is urgent. Delaying repentance can lead to missed opportunities for salvation and deliverance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_desire_for_holiness.htm">God's Desire for Holiness</a></b><br>God calls His people to holiness, which involves both turning away from sin and turning towards Him in obedience and love.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_jeremiah_31_with_jewish_divisions.htm">How do we reconcile Jeremiah 31's vision of a unified Israel with ongoing historical divisions among Jewish communities?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_has_cast_a_spell_on_you.htm">What does 'walking in truth' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_ignore_pleas_in_jer_14_7-9.htm">Jeremiah 14:7-9: How can a merciful God seemingly ignore the desperate pleas of His people in these verses?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_manage_anger_at_god.htm">How should you handle anger towards God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) <span class= "bld">O Jerusalem.</span>--The prophet's answer to the cry that comes from the city. In that "washing of the heart" which had seemed impossible before (<a href="/jeremiah/2-22.htm" title="For though you wash you with nitre, and take you much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before me, said the Lord GOD.">Jeremiah 2:22</a>), but is thought of now as "possible with God," is the one hope of salvation. (Comp. <a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm" title="Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil;">Isaiah 1:16</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Vain thoughts.</span>--The Hebrew has a force which the English does not reproduce, <span class= "ital">thoughts of vanity, thoughts of aven, i.e., </span>of the word which had been specially applied, as in Beth-aven for Beth-el (the "house of vanity" for the "house of God") to the idols which Israel and Judah worshipped (<a href="/hosea/4-15.htm" title="Though you, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not you to Gilgal, neither go you up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD lives.">Hosea 4:15</a>; <a href="/hosea/10-5.htm" title="The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.">Hosea 10:5</a>; <a href="/amos/5-5.htm" title="But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nothing.">Amos 5:5</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thy vain thoughts</span>. The phrase specially belongs to sins against one's neighbor - such sins as are described in <a href="/jeremiah/7-5.htm">Jeremiah 7:5-9</a> (Keil). "Vain" should rather be "wicked" (immoral); the root-meaning of the noun is "a breath" (the symbol of material or moral emptiness). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/4-14.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">Wash</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּבְּסִ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(kab·bə·sî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3526.htm">Strong's 3526: </a> </span><span class="str2">To trample, to wash</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the evil</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵרָעָ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(mê·rā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from your heart,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבֵּךְ֙</span> <span class="translit">(lib·bêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O Jerusalem,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(yə·rū·šā·lim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמַ֖עַן</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ma·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4616.htm">Strong's 4616: </a> </span><span class="str2">Purpose -- intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you may be saved.</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּוָּשֵׁ֑עִי</span> <span class="translit">(tiw·wā·šê·‘î)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3467.htm">Strong's 3467: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">How long</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will you harbor</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּלִ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(tā·lîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3885.htm">Strong's 3885: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wicked</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹנֵֽךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w·nêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_205.htm">Strong's 205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">thoughts</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחְשְׁב֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(maḥ·šə·ḇō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4284.htm">Strong's 4284: </a> </span><span class="str2">A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">within you?</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּקִרְבֵּ֖ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·qir·bêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7130.htm">Strong's 7130: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nearest part, the center</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/4-14.htm">Jeremiah 4:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/4-14.htm">Jeremiah 4:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/4-14.htm">Jeremiah 4:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/4-14.htm">Jeremiah 4:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/4-14.htm">Jeremiah 4:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/4-14.htm">Jeremiah 4:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/4-14.htm">Jeremiah 4:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/4-14.htm">Jeremiah 4:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/4-14.htm">Jeremiah 4:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/4-14.htm">Jeremiah 4:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/4-14.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 4:14 Jerusalem wash your heart from wickedness that (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/4-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 4:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 4:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/4-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 4:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 4:15" /></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>