Definition: Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important passage from Jeremiah 1:17. It's a really powerful message about responsibility and standing up for what’s right. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling us to be prepared and courageous in facing difficult situations. It’s urging you to be ready, both mentally and physically, to deal with people who are challenging or even hostile. Let's break it down word by word: “Thou therefore gird up thy loins…” – This is a metaphorical way of saying “be prepared.” Think of your loins as the muscles you use when running or lifting something heavy. It means you need to be ready, equipped, and strong. “…and arise…” - This is an urging to move ahead. You’re not just standing still; you need to take action. "...and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces…” – This is the core of the message. “Speak unto them all” means to tell everyone, to share what you're about to do. “I command thee” emphasizes that this is a serious instruction from God. The key part is "be not dismayed." "...lest I confound thee before them." – This is the warning. “Confound” means to confuse or disconcert, and it’s used here to suggest that God might seem intimidating or even frightening to those he's addressing. “Before them” means in front of others. So, this verse warns you not to be afraid or worried about how people will react when you speak up for what is right. Putting it all together: Jeremiah 1:17 is telling us that God has given you a very important task – to stand firm in your beliefs and to not be discouraged by those who disagree with you. It’s urging you to be strong, courageous, and ready to face any challenge with wisdom and conviction. It's essentially saying, "Don't let fear stop you from doing what is right." In a nutshell: God wants you to be prepared to speak truth even when it’s difficult, and to not let others discourage you. --- Do you want me to explain any of this in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Connect this verse to other Bible stories? Discuss the context of Jeremiah's writing?