Jeremiah 14:20

14:20 Lord, we confess that we have been wicked.

We confess that our ancestors have done wrong. 1 

We have indeed 2  sinned against you.

Jeremiah 18:12

18:12 But they just keep saying, ‘We do not care what you say! 3  We will do whatever we want to do! We will continue to behave wickedly and stubbornly!’” 4 

1 tn Heb “We acknowledge our wickedness [and] the iniquity of our [fore]fathers.” For the use of the word “know” to mean “confess,” “acknowledge” cf. BDB 394 s.v. יָדַע, Qal.1.f and compare the usage in Jer 3:13.

sn For a longer example of an individual identifying with the nation and confessing their sins and the sins of their forefathers see Ps 106.

2 tn This is another example of the intensive use of כִּי (ki). See BDB 472 s.v. כִּי 1.e.

3 tn Heb “It is useless!” See the same expression in a similar context in Jer 2:25.

4 tn Heb “We will follow our own plans and do each one according to the stubbornness of his own wicked heart.”

sn This has been the consistent pattern of their behavior. See 7:24; 9:13; 13:10; 16:12.