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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 18:12 But they will reply, 'It is hopeless. We will follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.'"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/18-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/24_Jer_18_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 18:12 - The Potter and the Clay" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But they will reply, 'It is hopeless. We will follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.'" /><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/18-12.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/18-12.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/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 12</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="/ad12.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/18-11.htm" title="Jeremiah 18:11">◄</a> Jeremiah 18:12 <a href="/jeremiah/18-13.htm" title="Jeremiah 18:13">►</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/18.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/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But they will reply, &#8216It&#8217s no use. We will continue with our own plans; we will all follow the stubbornness of our evil hearts.&#8217&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“But they say, ‘That is in vain! We will follow our own plans, and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But they will reply, ‘It is hopeless. We will follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And they said, “That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But they will say, ‘It’s hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will persist in the stubbornness of his evil heart.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But they will say, &#8216It&#8217s hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But they will say, ‘It’s hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But they will say, ‘It’s hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But they will say, ‘That is hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act in accordance with the stubbornness of his evil heart.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But they will say, ‘It’s hopeless. We will continue to follow our plans, and each of us will continue to act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But they will say, &#8216It&#8217s hopeless. We will continue to follow our plans, and each of us will continue to act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.&#8217&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But they say, It is in vain; for we will walk after our own devices, and we will do every one after the stubbornness of his evil heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But I know you won't listen. You might as well answer, "We don't care what you say. We have made plans to sin, and we are going to be stubborn and do as we please!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But they say, There is no hope: for we will walk after our own devices, and we will do every one after the stubbornness of his evil heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"But they will answer, 'It's useless! We'll live the way we want to. We'll go our own stubborn, evil ways.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They will answer, 'No, why should we? We will all be just as stubborn and evil as we want to be.'" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But they'll say, 'It's useless! We will follow our plans and each of us will pursue his own evil desires.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But they will reply, ?It is hopeless. We will follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But they just keep saying, 'We do not care what you say! We will do whatever we want to do! We will continue to behave wickedly and stubbornly!'" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But they say, 'It is in vain; for we will walk after our own devices, and we will do everyone after the stubbornness of his evil heart.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But they say, ‘It is in vain; for we will walk after our own plans, and we will each follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.’” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they have said, “It is incurable, "" For we go after our own plans, "" And each of us does the stubbornness of his evil heart.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they have said, It is incurable, For after our own devices we do go, And each the stubbornness of his evil heart we do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they said, We shall despair; for after our purposes we will go, and we will do each the stubbornness of his evil heart.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they said: We have no hopes: for we will go after our own thoughts, and we will do every one according to the perverseness of his evil heart. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they said: “We have lost hope. And so we will follow our own thoughts, and each of us will act according to the depravity of his own evil heart.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But they will say, “No use! We will follow our own devices; each one of us will behave according to the stubbornness of our evil hearts!” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But they say, “It is no use! We will follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of our evil will.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But they said, We shall become strong and we will walk after our own devices and we will every man do the imagination of his evil heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And those said: “We will be strong, and we will go after our thoughts, and we shall do, each man, the pleasures of his evil heart!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But they say: There is no hope; but we will walk after our own devices, and we will do every one after the stubbornness of his evil heart.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they said, We will quit ourselves like men, for we will pursue our perverse ways, and we will perform each the lusts of his evil heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/18-12.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=5420" 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/18.htm">The Potter and the Clay</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>Now therefore, tell the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I am planning a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways, and correct your ways and deeds.’ <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wə·’ā·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">But they will reply,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2976.htm" title="2976: nō·w·’āš (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To despair. A primitive root; to desist, i.e. to despond.">‘It is hopeless.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: nê·lêḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">We will follow</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4284.htm" title="4284: maḥ·šə·ḇō·w·ṯê·nū (N-fpc:: 1cp) -- Thought, device. Or machashebeth; from chashab; a contrivance, i.e. a texture, machine, or intention, plan.">our own plans,</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: wə·’îš (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">and each of us</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: na·‘ă·śeh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">will act</a> <a href="/hebrew/8307.htm" title="8307: šə·ri·rūṯ (N-fsc) -- Firmness, stubbornness. From sharar in the sense of twisted, i.e. Firm; obstinacy.">according to the stubbornness</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: hā·rā‘ (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">of his evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bōw- (N-msc:: 3ms) -- 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.">heart.’”</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Therefore this is what the LORD says: “Inquire among the nations: Who has ever heard things like these? Virgin Israel has done a most terrible thing.…<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/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1</a></span><br />“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/65-2.htm">Isaiah 65:2</a></span><br />All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/3-7.htm">Ezekiel 3:7</a></span><br />But the house of Israel will be unwilling to listen to you, since they are unwilling to listen to Me. For the whole house of Israel is hard-headed and hard-hearted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/33-31.htm">Ezekiel 33:31</a></span><br />So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Zechariah 7:11-12</a></span><br />But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. / They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-24.htm">Proverbs 1:24-25</a></span><br />Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, / because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/29-1.htm">Proverbs 29:1</a></span><br />A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-14.htm">2 Kings 17:14</a></span><br />But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-29.htm">Nehemiah 9:29</a></span><br />You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They turned a stubborn shoulder; they stiffened their necks and would not obey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/81-11.htm">Psalm 81:11-12</a></span><br />But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me. / So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51</a></span><br />You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-5.htm">Romans 2:5</a></span><br />But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-21.htm">Romans 10:21</a></span><br />But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a></span><br />For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.</p><p class="hdg">There.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/2-25.htm">Jeremiah 2:25</a></b></br> Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/6-33.htm">2 Kings 6:33</a></b></br> And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil <i>is</i> of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/57-10.htm">Isaiah 57:10</a></b></br> Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; <i>yet</i> saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.</p><p class="hdg">we will walk.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/3-17.htm">Jeremiah 3:17</a></b></br> At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/7-24.htm">Jeremiah 7:24</a></b></br> But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels <i>and</i> in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/11-8.htm">Jeremiah 11:8</a></b></br> Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded <i>them</i> to do; but they did <i>them</i> not.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/14-7.htm">Act</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-5.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-21.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-19.htm">Devices</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-11.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-16.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-10.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-17.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-25.htm">Hopeless</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-12.htm">Imagination</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-4.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-19.htm">Plans</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-12.htm">Stubbornness</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-15.htm">Use</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-12.htm">Walk</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Act</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-26.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-9.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm">Devices</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-20.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-10.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-5.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-11.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/romans/4-18.htm">Hopeless</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Imagination</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-16.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm">Plans</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-17.htm">Stubbornness</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Use</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Walk</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/18-1.htm">Under the type of a potter is shown God's absolute power in disposing of nations.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/18-11.htm">Judgments threatened to Judah for her strange revolt.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm">Jeremiah prays against his conspirators.</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/18.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/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But they will reply, ‘It is hopeless.</b><br>This phrase reflects the people's despair and resignation to their fate. In the context of Jeremiah, the Israelites are being warned of impending judgment due to their persistent disobedience. The sense of hopelessness indicates a lack of faith in God's ability to redeem and restore. This mirrors the attitude of the Israelites during their wilderness journey, where they often doubted God's promises (<a href="/numbers/14.htm">Numbers 14:1-4</a>). It also highlights a spiritual blindness, as they fail to see the possibility of repentance and divine intervention.<p><b>We will follow our own plans,</b><br>Here, the people express a deliberate choice to reject God's guidance. This decision to follow their own plans is a recurring theme in the Bible, where human pride and self-reliance lead to downfall (<a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a>). The Israelites' insistence on their own way contrasts with the biblical call to trust in the Lord's plans, which are for welfare and not for evil (<a href="/jeremiah/29-11.htm">Jeremiah 29:11</a>). This phrase underscores the rebellion against divine authority, reminiscent of the original sin in the Garden of Eden (<a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Genesis 3:6</a>).<p><b>and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’”</b><br>This part of the verse highlights the individual and collective hardness of heart. The stubbornness mentioned here is a willful resistance to God's will, a theme prevalent throughout the prophetic books. The "evil heart" indicates a moral and spiritual corruption that has taken hold of the people, echoing the condition of humanity described in <a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a>. This stubbornness is contrasted with the biblical call to have a heart of flesh, responsive to God's Spirit (<a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26</a>). The phrase also foreshadows the New Testament teaching on the necessity of a transformed heart through Christ (<a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a>), emphasizing the need for divine intervention to overcome human sinfulness.<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 His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his lamentations and warnings of impending judgment due to the people's disobedience.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often warned by prophets like Jeremiah about their idolatry and unfaithfulness to God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_judah.htm">The People of Judah</a></b><br>The recipients of Jeremiah's prophecies, who often responded with stubbornness and rebellion against God's commands.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign Lord who communicates His will through prophets and desires repentance and obedience from His people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_potter's_house.htm">The Potter's House</a></b><br>A symbolic place used by God to illustrate His sovereignty and the malleability He desires in His people, as seen earlier in <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Jeremiah 18</a>.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_stubbornness.htm">The Danger of Stubbornness</a></b><br><a href="/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Jeremiah 18:12</a> highlights the people's refusal to heed God's warning, choosing instead to follow their own plans. This serves as a caution against hardening our hearts and ignoring divine guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>Despite the people's rebellion, God's message through Jeremiah is a call to repentance. We are reminded of God's patience and desire for us to turn back to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_our_response.htm">God's Sovereignty and Our Response</a></b><br>The imagery of the potter and clay underscores God's authority over our lives. Our response should be one of humility and willingness to be shaped by His hands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The people's choice to follow their own plans leads to judgment. This serves as a reminder that disobedience to God has serious consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening_to_god.htm">The Importance of Listening to God</a></b><br>The passage challenges us to evaluate whether we are truly listening to God's voice or following our own desires. It encourages us to seek His will in all aspects of our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_sexual_misconduct.htm">Can the Bible help someone considering suicide?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_god_'reconsider'_if_unchanging.htm">If God is unchanging, how can He 'reconsider' His plans for nations as suggested in Jeremiah 18:7-10?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_rely_on_human_compliance.htm">In Zechariah 7:12, the people are criticized for refusing to heed God's message; why would an omnipotent deity rely on human compliance for His plans?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_ezekiel_15_6-8_imply_total_judgment.htm">Why does Ezekiel 15:6-8 imply a total judgment on Jerusalem if other scriptures promise divine restoration?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">And they said.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">But they say, </span>as of continued action. This was the ever-recurring answer (see Note on <a href="/jeremiah/2-25.htm" title="Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst: but you said, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.">Jeremiah 2:25</a>) which they made to the prophet's pleas. It was the answer of defiance rather than of despair. "There is no hope, <span class= "ital">you </span>need not hope, that we will do as you bid us. We will go on our way, and walk after our own devices."<p><span class= "bld">Imagination.</span>--Better, as elsewhere, <span class= "ital">stubbornness.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they said</span>; rather, <span class="accented">But they go on saying</span> (comp. <a href="/ezekiel/33-17.htm">Ezekiel 33:17, 20</a>). There is no hope. The rendering may be easily misunderstood. The speakers are not, as we might suppose, despondent about their state and prospects, but they seek to check the troublesome preacher by the warning that he has no chance of success (so <a href="/jeremiah/2-25.htm">Jeremiah 2:25</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Imagination</span>; rather, stubbornness (as constantly). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/18-12.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">But they will reply,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָמְר֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘It is hopeless.</span><br /><span class="heb">נוֹאָ֑שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(nō·w·’āš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2976.htm">Strong's 2976: </a> </span><span class="str2">To desist, to despond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">We will follow</span><br /><span class="heb">נֵלֵ֔ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(nê·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our own plans,</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחְשְׁבוֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(maḥ·šə·ḇō·w·ṯê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural<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">and each of us</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִ֛ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will act</span><br /><span class="heb">נַעֲשֶֽׂה׃</span> <span class="translit">(na·‘ă·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">according to the stubbornness</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁרִר֥וּת</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ri·rūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8307.htm">Strong's 8307: </a> </span><span class="str2">Firmness, stubbornness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his evil</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרָ֖ע</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine 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">heart.’”</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבּֽוֹ־</span> <span class="translit">(lib·bōw-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine 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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Jeremiah 18:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Jeremiah 18:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Jeremiah 18:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Jeremiah 18:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Jeremiah 18:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Jeremiah 18:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Jeremiah 18:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Jeremiah 18:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Jeremiah 18:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Jeremiah 18:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/18-12.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 18:12 But they say It is in vain (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/18-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 18:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 18:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/18-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 18:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 18:13" /></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>