Old Testament
Jeremiah 2:35
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Yet you say, 'Because I am innocent, surely His anger will turn away from me.' But look, I will argue with you, because you say, 'I have not sinned.'
Compare translations
Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.
What Jeremiah 2:35 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God addresses the people of Israel who believe they are innocent and that His anger will not affect them. They claim they have not sinned, showing a lack of self-awareness and accountability for their actions. God challenges this false sense of security by stating He will confront them about their denial of wrongdoing. This highlights the importance of recognizing one's faults and the need for repentance. The verse serves as a reminder that claiming innocence does not absolve one from the consequences of sin. God desires honesty and humility from His people, urging them to acknowledge their sins rather than dismiss them. This confrontation is not just about punishment but about leading them back to a right relationship with Him, emphasizing the need for genuine repentance and understanding of their spiritual state.
How to apply Jeremiah 2:35 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our own lives and recognize areas where we may be in denial about our actions. Instead of claiming innocence, we should seek to understand our shortcomings and approach God with humility, asking for forgiveness and guidance to change our ways.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Daniel

Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethel
Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Jeremiah 2:35
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Jeremiah 2:35
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah
- Author
- Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
- Written
- Around 600 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Jeremiah 2:35 mean?
Jeremiah 2:35 addresses the people of Israel who falsely believe they are innocent and that God's anger will not affect them. God challenges their denial of sin and emphasizes the need for accountability and repentance.
What is the significance of claiming innocence in Jeremiah 2:35?
Claiming innocence in Jeremiah 2:35 reflects a lack of self-awareness and accountability for one's actions. God uses this verse to confront the people about their denial and to urge them to recognize their faults.
How does Jeremiah 2:35 relate to the theme of repentance?
Jeremiah 2:35 highlights the importance of acknowledging one's sins rather than dismissing them. It serves as a reminder that true repentance requires honesty and humility before God.
What does God mean by 'I will plead with thee' in Jeremiah 2:35?
When God says 'I will plead with thee' in Jeremiah 2:35, He indicates His intention to confront the people about their denial of sin. This confrontation aims to lead them back to a right relationship with Him.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.