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He also predicts that during their invasion the Babylonians will not only slaughter the living, but will mock the long-dead priests and kings, unearthing the coffins, leaving the bones unburied, and they will lie (Jer. 8:2) against the “sun, moon” and “stars.” Those whom they loved to serve will not receive help from them. Jer.8:3. As if he had chosen death rather than life. Having spoken at length about this and similar things, he again stretches out his hand, exhorting him to repent. Jer.8:4. Padayai food does not rise? Or will he turn away and not convert? Then he reprimands the disobedient: Jer.8:5. Why did these people in Jerusalem turn away with cold-free disgust, and were strengthened in their will, and did not want to be converted? He made it clear to us that wickedness is not a matter of nature, but of will. After this he accuses him of unrepentant heart; for he says: Jer.8:6. They will say: no man should do repentance for his sin, saying: what have I done! This thought was the cause of constant wickedness. For the Prophet gives this to be seen in the words that follow. “Flee from your current when you are exhausted, like a horse that is weary in its neighing.” The Syrian interpreter translated this as follows: everyone walks according to their own will, like a horse eager for battle. For, having abandoned the divine law, they follow their own thoughts. And according to the Greek translation it should be understood that during their course they know neither time nor satiety; because even a horse that runs and neighs becomes covered in sweat when tired, but they do not know satiety, doing bad things. The following also agrees with this understanding. Jer.8:7. And Asida in heaven knows her time: the turtle dove, and the grasshopper, “and the village gusset, who kept the times of their entrances: but these people of mine did not know” the verbs of “the Lord.” Comparison with the dumb strengthened the accusation. And the birds know, says the Prophet, the difference in times, they are transported, now here, now to another place, according to natural law, looking for what is needed for them; The Jews, gifted with reason, do not benefit from the law. "Asida" is a bird; and others say that the kite is so named. Jer.8:8. Why do you say that we are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? A sign of extreme madness is not to feel your own recklessness, and while indulging in lawlessness, not to be aware of sin. “The cane was in vain” 5 “a lying scribe.” The Prophet calls inheritance a reed and a portion that is measured with a reed; He says that even the reed does not use the writings of the law, because it has loved lies. Therefore, he says, those who call themselves wise will be put to shame. Jeremiah 8:10. And I will give their wives to others, and villages to their heirs. Heirs called the enemies as if they had taken their property into their possession. He will do this, says the Prophet, because of the general iniquity of all, both priests and false prophets, who, promising peace, prevented the people from repenting. But he threatens them with the barrenness of the earth, and fear, and flight, and (Jer. 8:17) he calls them “killing serpents” enemies, “who,” says the Prophet, “have no charm,” because they do not heed our pleas. Then he predicts captivity. Jer.8:19. Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of My people from the earth from afar. After this he asks: “Does the Lord have food in Zion, or does the king have food in it?” The God of all is everywhere, says the Prophet. So why did he betray them to their enemies? “You have angered Me even more in your sculptured ones, and in the vain ones of strangers.” The cause of these evils has become for you an illegal life and evil service to idols. Jeremiah 8:20. The harvest is over, summer is past, and we will not be saved. Shem expressed the long time of siege and seventy years of slavery. And we must punish them to turn them to our advantage. For, according to the word of the divine Apostle, “the great thing was written for our punishment: that through patience and the consolation of the scriptures we may have hope” (Rom. 15:4), which may we obtain in Christ Jesus our Lord. With him belongs glory and power to the Father with the all-holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages! Amen. Jer.8:21. Over the contrition of the daughter of My people, I am crushed and sorrowful, in horror having embraced Me with illnesses, like those in labor.” The Prophet mourns the iniquities that the people dared to commit and describes the disasters that befell them for this. He calls the city “the daughter of men” because they built it; and “contrition” is the punishment for sin. Jer.8:22. Or is there no medicine in Gilead, or is there no doctor there? Why is it that the wound of the daughter of My people has been healed? He calls priests doctors, and “ritina” allegorically refers to spiritual teaching. And “Gilead” was a priestly city. Therefore, the Prophet reproaches that when there were priests and legal decrees, the city did not stop sinning and did not accept repentance. In Greek: σχοῖνος rope, used in land surveying.