Definition: And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man’s word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 23:36. It's a really important and complex one with layers of meaning, but here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is warning us about the dangers of focusing on negativity and hurtful words. It’s saying that we need to stop dwelling on things that are upsetting or causing pain, because those words are now our burden to carry. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Jeremiah 23:36” : This refers to a specific prophecy given by Jeremiah, a prophet in ancient Israel. It’s a message about the future. “And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more…” - The “LORD” is God. "Burden" means a heavy weight or responsibility. So, this verse says that we need to stop constantly focusing on things that are causing us grief or unhappiness – words, thoughts, and actions. “…for every man’s word shall be his burden…” : This is the core of the warning. It means that every single word we speak – whether it's spoken aloud or in our hearts – will become our responsibility. We are now responsible for what we say, and it will carry a heavy weight. “…for ye have perverted the words of the living God…” : This is where it gets deeper. Jeremiah is saying that we have twisted or misunderstood God’s message. He's pointing out that we’ve become focused on negativity, judgment, and anger instead of focusing on His love, kindness, and truth. We’ve taken something precious and holy (God’s word) and made it a source of pain. Putting it all together: The verse is essentially saying that our words have power. When we constantly speak harsh, hurtful, or judgmental things, those words become our responsibility, and they will carry a heavy weight on us. It's urging us to shift our focus away from negativity and towards God’s love and truth. Why is this important? This verse reminds us that: Words matter: Our words have consequences – not just for ourselves but for others too. We need to be mindful of what we say: We should strive to speak with kindness, compassion, and understanding. We need to seek God’s guidance: It encourages a relationship with God that isn't about judgment, but about receiving His love and wisdom. In short, it’s a call to be mindful of our words and to prioritize forgiveness, peace, and love. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in a different way? Give you some examples of things that might cause us to "pervert" the words we speak?