Old Testament

Jeremiah 4:14

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, God is calling Jerusalem to cleanse their hearts from wickedness to achieve salvation.

Author
Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
Written
Around 600 BC
Genre
Prophecy
Original Audience
Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
CBTClear Bible Translation

Jerusalem, scrub the wickedness from your heart so you can be saved! How long will you let these evil schemes fester inside you?

KJVKing James Version

O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, God is calling Jerusalem to cleanse their hearts from wickedness to achieve salvation. The imagery of washing suggests a deep, internal purification rather than just external actions. The phrase 'how long' indicates a sense of urgency and frustration over the people's persistent evil thoughts and behaviors. God desires a genuine transformation, urging the people to confront and remove their sinful inclinations. This call to action emphasizes the importance of inner purity and the need to address the root causes of sin rather than merely the symptoms. The verse serves as a reminder that true salvation requires a heartfelt commitment to change and a rejection of harmful thoughts and actions that lead one away from God.

Key themes

Related topics

salvation, purpose, direction

How to apply Jeremiah 4:14 to your life

This verse encourages us to examine our own hearts for any wickedness or harmful thoughts. We should actively seek to cleanse our minds and spirits, allowing God to transform us. Regular self-reflection and prayer can help us identify and remove negative influences, leading to a more faithful life.

Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Jeremiah 4:14 mean?

Jeremiah 4:14 calls for Jerusalem to cleanse their hearts from wickedness to be saved. It emphasizes the need for genuine inner transformation rather than just outward actions.

What is the significance of 'wash thine heart' in Jeremiah 4:14?

The phrase 'wash thine heart' signifies a deep, internal purification process. It suggests that true salvation requires addressing the root of sin and not just the external behaviors.

What does the phrase 'how long' indicate in Jeremiah 4:14?

The phrase 'how long' expresses urgency and frustration over the people's persistent evil thoughts. It highlights God's desire for immediate action towards repentance and change.

What themes are present in Jeremiah 4:14?

Key themes in Jeremiah 4:14 include heart purification, the urgency of repentance, inner transformation, and the rejection of wickedness. These themes emphasize the importance of a sincere commitment to change.

The Book of Jeremiah
Book Summary

The Book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1: The Call of Jeremiah

The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, a priest from Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, are recorded. The word of the LORD comes to him in the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign over Judah. It continues to come to him through the reign of King Jehoiakim and until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah, when Jerusalem is carried into captivity. The LORD states that before He formed Jeremiah in the womb, He knew him and ordained him as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah responds that he cannot speak because he is a child. The LORD commands him not to say he is a child, for he will go where the LORD sends him and speak what the LORD commands.

Premium

Unlock the full Jeremiah summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Jeremiah — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 52 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Jeremiah summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

or

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.