Jeremiah 12:1-9 ▼

1 Righteous are You, O Yahweh, when I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would speak matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked succeeded? Why are all those who deal in treachery complacent?

2 You have planted them; they have also taken root; They grow; they have even produced fruit. You are near to their lips But far from their inmost being.

3 But You, O Yahweh, You know me; You see me; And You test my heart’s attitude toward You. Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter And set them apart for a day of carnage!

4 How long is the land to mourn And the plants of every field to dry up? Because of the evil of those who inhabit it, Animals and birds have been swept away, Because men have said, “He will not see our latter ending.”

5 “If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, Then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, How will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?

6 For even your brothers and the household of your father, Even they have dealt treacherously with you, Even they have called aloud after you. Do not believe them, although they may say nice things to you.”

7 “I have forsaken My house; I have abandoned My inheritance; I have given the beloved of My soul Into the hand of her enemies.

8 My inheritance has become to Me Like a lion in the forest; She has given forth its voice against Me; Therefore I have come to hate her.

9 Is My inheritance like a speckled bird of prey to Me? Are the birds of prey against her on every side? Go, gather all the beasts of the field, Bring them to devour!