8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.
8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
8 and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it.
8 But if they repent of their wicked lives, I will think twice and start over with them.
8 if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.
8 but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 18:8
Commentary on Jeremiah 18:1-10
(Read Jeremiah 18:1-10)
While Jeremiah looks upon the potter's work, God darts into his mind two great truths. God has authority, and power, to form and fashion kingdoms and nations as he pleases. He may dispose of us as he thinks fit; and it would be as absurd for us to dispute this, as for the clay to quarrel with the potter. But he always goes by fixed rules of justice and goodness. When God is coming against us in judgments, we may be sure it is for our sins; but sincere conversion from the evil of sin will prevent the evil of punishment, as to persons, and to families, and nations.