Jeremiah 13:23

Captivity Threatened · Jeremiah 13:15–27
Read Jeremiah 13

Translations

Modern
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither are you able to do good—you who are accustomed to doing evil.
Traditional
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
Literal
Can the Cushite change his skin, or the leopard its spots? Are you also able do good—you who are accustomed to doing evil.
Latin
Si mutare potest Æthiops pellem suam, aut pardus varietates suas, et vos poteritis benefacere, cum didiceritis malum.

Original

Hebrew
English
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither are you able to do good—you who are accustomed to doing evil.

Notes

the Ethiopian: People cannot choose their skin color, just like a leopard cannot choose its spots. Similarly, God's people were born trapped by evil. They could not change by themselves and refused to let the Lord change them.

Events

Places

Cush: Ancient region in Africa; associated with Egypt and Babylon

Glossary

Adultery Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (Old Testament) Book of Jeremiah Jeremiah (Person) Leopard

Topics

Character of the Wicked: Evildoers Depravity of Man: General Scriptures Concerning Ethiopia: The Inhabitants of, Black Habits Idolatry: Warnings Against, and Punishments of Leopard: Fierceness of Leopard: Spotted Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments Regeneration: General Scriptures Concerning The Fall of Man: Cannot be Remedied by Man