# You who belong to this generation! Pay attention to my word, the word of Yahweh

The phrase "this generation" refers to the people who lived when Jeremiah lived. Alternate translation: "You who live today, pay attention to what I, Yahweh, say to you"

# Have I been a wilderness to Israel? Or a land of deep darkness?

Here "a wilderness" and "a land of deep darkness" are metaphors for danger. God uses this question to rebuke the Israelites for behaving as though he had been dangerous. Alternate translation: "You act as though I have been like a wilderness or a land of deep darkness to you" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion]])

# Why would my people say, 'Let us wander around, we will not go to you anymore'?

God uses this question to rebuke his people for saying this. Alternate translation: "You my people say 'We can go where we want to go and not worship Yahweh anymore.'" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion]])

# wander

move around or go to different places usually without any particular purpose or direction

