Jeremiah 23:29

My message is like a fire that purges dross! ¹  It is like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces! ²  I, the Lord, so affirm it! ³ 

"Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

"Is not My word like fire?" declares the LORD, "and like a hammer which shatters a rock?

Does not my word burn like fire?" asks the LORD. "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes rock to pieces?

Isn't my Message like fire?" GOD's Decree. "Isn't it like a sledgehammer busting a rock?

Is not my word like fire? says the Lord; and like a hammer, smashing the rock to bits?

Is not my word like fire, says the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

" Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

My message is like a fire that purges dross! ¹  It is like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces! ²  I, the Lord, so affirm it! ³ 

¹ tn Heb “Is not my message like a fire?” The rhetorical question expects a positive answer that is made explicit in the translation. The words “that purges dross” are not in the text but are implicit to the metaphor. They are supplied in the translation for clarity.

² tn Heb “Is it not like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” See preceding note.

³ tn Heb “Oracle of the Lord.”