1 This message came to Jeremiah from the lord, explaining why he was holding back the rain:
2 “Judah wilts;commerce at the city gates grinds to a halt.All the people sit on the ground in mourning,and a great cry rises from Jerusalem.
3 The nobles send servants to get water,but all the wells are dry.The servants return with empty pitchers,confused and desperate,covering their heads in grief.
4 The ground is parchedand cracked for lack of rain.The farmers are deeply troubled;they, too, cover their heads.
5 Even the doe abandons her newborn fawnbecause there is no grass in the field.