Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 4:30. It’s a really powerful and sobering message about the consequences of bitterness and anger. Here's a simplified explanation: The Core Message: This verse warns against reacting with anger and dwelling on negativity . It suggests that when you become consumed by bitterness, it will lead to terrible things – both for yourself and those around you. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And [when] thou [art] spoiled…” : "Spoiled" means full of bitterness, resentment, or a negative attitude. It's when you feel like something is wrong with you, even if it isn't objectively true. “…what wilt thou do?” : This is the question that’s posed. What will happen when you're spoiled? “Though thou clothest thyself with crimson…” : “Clothest” means to stain or mar something with a dark color like blood. So, this refers to covering yourself in anger – perhaps through crying, shouting, or other expressions of negativity. It’s about making yourself look worse than you are. “…though thou deckest thyself with ornaments of gold…” : This is a metaphor for putting on a show of false pride or importance. You're trying to make yourself seem better than others through superficial things. “…though thou rentest thy face with painting…” : “Rentest” means to tear or damage something – like tearing your face apart with anger. It symbolizes the damage that bitterness causes to your relationships and self-respect. “In vain shalt thou make thyself fair…” : This is the crucial part. "In vain" means it won’t work; it’s a wasted effort. The thing you're trying to achieve – making yourself appear good – will ultimately fail because of your negativity. What does it mean in practical terms? It’s about emotional control: The verse is urging us to take a step back from our anger and bitterness. It’s not about never feeling upset; that's natural. But when those feelings become overwhelming, it’s important to manage them constructively. It highlights the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation: The verse suggests that after you’ve been wronged or hurt, it's crucial to forgive others (and yourself) – because bitterness can poison relationships and prevent healing. It’s a warning against self-destruction: It speaks to the idea that dwelling on negativity will ultimately damage your own well-being. In short, Jeremiah 4:30 is a reminder to choose kindness and peace over anger and resentment. It's about protecting your heart and relationships. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of how bitterness can manifest itself? Talk about biblical principles that relate to this verse (like forgiveness)?