9 Thus saith the Lord, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.
9 "This is what the Lord says: 'In the same way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.
9 "Thus says the Lord: Even so will I spoil the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.
9 "This is the way I am going to ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem -
9 "Thus says the Lord: 'In this manner I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.
9 "This is what the Lord says: This shows how I will rot away the pride of Judah and Jerusalem.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 13:9
Commentary on Jeremiah 13:1-11
(Read Jeremiah 13:1-11)
It was usual with the prophets to teach by signs. And we have the explanation, verses 9-11. The people of Israel had been to God as this girdle. He caused them to cleave to him by the law he gave them, the prophets he sent among them, and the favours he showed them. They had by their idolatries and sins buried themselves in foreign earth, mingled among the nations, and were so corrupted that they were good for nothing. If we are proud of learning, power, and outward privileges, it is just with God to wither them. The minds of men should be awakened to a sense of their guilt and danger; yet nothing will be effectual without the influences of the Spirit.