Old Testament
Jeremiah 4:30
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
And you, devastated one — what will you do then? Even if you dress yourself in scarlet, drape yourself in gold jewelry, and paint your eyes with makeup, you'll make yourself beautiful for nothing. Your lovers despise you — they want you dead.
Compare translations
And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
What Jeremiah 4:30 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God addresses Jerusalem, depicted as a devastated woman. Despite her attempts to beautify herself with fine clothing, jewelry, and makeup, these efforts are futile because her true condition is one of ruin and rejection. The 'lovers' mentioned symbolize the nations and alliances she relied on for security and support, but they now turn against her, seeking her destruction. This reflects a deeper spiritual truth: external appearances cannot mask internal decay or the consequences of unfaithfulness to God. The verse serves as a warning that superficial efforts to gain approval or love will not succeed if one's heart and actions are not aligned with righteousness and faithfulness.
How to apply Jeremiah 4:30 to your life
This verse reminds us that true beauty and worth come from within, not from external appearances. We should focus on cultivating our character and faithfulness rather than seeking validation through superficial means. Trusting in God and living righteously is what truly matters.
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 Moses's story: Israel Enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1:8–22)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Moses
Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, 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.
Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
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 4:30
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 4:30
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 4:30 mean?
Jeremiah 4:30 conveys a message to Jerusalem, symbolized as a devastated woman, highlighting that no amount of external adornment can hide her inner ruin and rejection. It emphasizes that relying on superficial beauty and alliances will not protect her from the consequences of her unfaithfulness to God.
What is the significance of 'lovers' in Jeremiah 4:30?
In Jeremiah 4:30, 'lovers' represent the nations and alliances that Jerusalem depended on for security. The verse indicates that these 'lovers' have turned against her, seeking her destruction, illustrating the consequences of misplaced trust.
What does the phrase 'make thyself fair' mean in Jeremiah 4:30?
The phrase 'make thyself fair' in Jeremiah 4:30 refers to attempts to enhance one's appearance through clothing, jewelry, and makeup. It signifies the futility of trying to cover up inner decay and the reality of rejection despite outward efforts.
How does Jeremiah 4:30 relate to spiritual decay?
Jeremiah 4:30 highlights spiritual decay by showing that external efforts to appear beautiful are meaningless when one's heart is not aligned with God. It serves as a warning that true worth comes from faithfulness and righteousness, not superficial appearances.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.