Jeremiah 12:1-9 ▼

1 Right wouldest Thou be, O LORD, Were I to contend with Thee, Yet will I reason with Thee: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they secure that deal very treacherously?

2 Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root; They grow, yea, they bring forth fruit; Thou art near in their mouth, And far from their reins.

3 But Thou, O LORD, knowest me, Thou seest me, and triest my heart toward Thee; Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, And prepare them for the day of slaughter.

4 How long shall the land mourn, And the herbs of the whole field wither? For the wickedness of them that dwell therein, the beasts are consumed, and the birds; Because they said: 'He seeth not our end.'

5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, Then how canst thou contend with horses? And though in a land of peace thou art secure, Yet how wilt thou do in the thickets of the Jordan?

6 For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, Even they have dealt treacherously with thee, Even they have cried aloud after thee; Believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.'

7 I have forsaken My house, I have cast off My heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of My soul Into the hand of her enemies.

8 My heritage is become unto Me As a lion in the forest; She hath uttered her voice against Me; Therefore have I hated her.

9 Is My heritage unto Me as a speckled bird of prey? Are the birds of prey against her round about? Come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, Bring them to devour.