I also saw in my dream ¹  seven heads of grain growing on one stalk, full and good.

Then he fell asleep again and had a second dream: There were seven heads of grain growing ¹  on one stalk, healthy ²  and good.

By itself the soil produces a crop, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.

“Do you hunt prey for the lioness, and satisfy the appetite ¹  of the lions,

They sow the wind, and so they will reap the whirlwind! The stalk does not have any standing grain; it will not produce any flour. Even if it were to yield grain, foreigners would swallow it all up.

A jar full of sour wine ¹  was there, so they put a sponge soaked in sour wine on a branch of hyssop ²  and lifted it ³  to his mouth.

Then ¹  seven heads of grain, thin and burned by the east wind, were sprouting up after them.

Then ¹  seven heads of grain, withered and thin and burned with the east wind, were sprouting up after them.

If I lift myself up, ¹  you hunt me as a fierce lion, ²  and again ³  you display your power ⁴  against me.

Do you wish to torment ¹  a windblown ²  leaf and chase after dry chaff? ³ 

You, Lord, will protect them; ¹  you will continually shelter each one from these evil people, ² 

They stalk ¹  and lurk; ²  they watch my every step, ³  as ⁴  they prepare to take my life. ⁵ 

So the Lord cut off Israel’s head and tail, both the shoots and stalk ¹  in one day.

Egypt will not be able to do a thing, head or tail, shoots and stalk. ¹ 

For look, they wait to ambush me; ¹  powerful men stalk ²  me, but not because I have rebelled or sinned, O Lord. ³ 

“At that time ¹  Jacob’s splendor will be greatly diminished, ²  and he will become skin and bones. ³ 

Their residents are powerless; ¹  they are terrified and ashamed. They are as short-lived as plants in the field or green vegetation. ²  They are as short-lived as grass on the rooftops ³  when it is scorched by the east wind. ⁴ 

I will send famine and wild beasts against you and they will take your children from you. ¹  Plague and bloodshed will overwhelm you, ²  and I will bring a sword against you. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Her princes ¹  within her are like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they have devoured lives. They take away riches and valuable things; they have made many women widows ²  within it.

Before this I had been like a docile lamb ready to be led to the slaughter. I did not know they were making plans to kill me. ¹  I did not know they were saying, ²  “Let’s destroy the tree along with its fruit! ³  Let’s remove Jeremiah ⁴  from the world of the living so people will not even be reminded of him any more.” ⁵