Jeremiah 12

1 You are always righteous, Lord,

when I bring a case before you.

Yet I would speak with you about your justice:

Why does the way of the wicked prosper?

Why do all the faithless live at ease?

2 You have planted them, and they have taken root;

they grow and bear fruit.

You are always on their lips

but far from their hearts.

3 Yet you know me, Lord;

you see me and test my thoughts about you.

Drag them off like sheep to be butchered!

Set them apart for the day of slaughter!

4 How long will the land lie parched

and the grass in every field be withered?

Because those who live in it are wicked,

the animals and birds have perished.

Moreover, the people are saying,

“He will not see what happens to us.”

5 “If you have raced with men on foot

and they have worn you out,

how can you compete with horses?

If you stumble in safe country,

how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?

6 Your relatives, members of your own family—

even they have betrayed you;

they have raised a loud cry against you.

Do not trust them,

though they speak well of you.

7 “I will forsake my house,

abandon my inheritance;

I will give the one I love

into the hands of her enemies.

8 My inheritance has become to me

like a lion in the forest.

She roars at me;

therefore I hate her.

9 Has not my inheritance become to me

like a speckled bird of prey

that other birds of prey surround and attack?

Go and gather all the wild beasts;

bring them to devour.

10 Many shepherds will ruin my vineyard

and trample down my field;

they will turn my pleasant field

into a desolate wasteland.

11 It will be made a wasteland,

parched and desolate before me;

the whole land will be laid waste

because there is no one who cares.

12 Over all the barren heights in the desert

destroyers will swarm,

for the sword of the Lord will devour

from one end of the land to the other;

no one will be safe.

13 They will sow wheat but reap thorns;

they will wear themselves out but gain nothing.

They will bear the shame of their harvest

because of the Lord’s fierce anger.”

14 This is what the Lord says: “As for all my wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave my people Israel, I will uproot them from their lands and I will uproot the people of Judah from among them. 15 But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to their own inheritance and their own country. 16 And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives’—even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among my people. 17 But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it,” declares the Lord.

1 Righteous are you, O Lord,

when I complain to you;

yet I would plead my case before you.

Why does the way of the wicked prosper?

Why do all who are treacherous thrive?

2 You plant them, and they take root;

they grow and produce fruit;

you are near in their mouth

and far from their heart.

3 But you, O Lord, know me;

you see me, and test my heart toward you.

Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter,

and set them apart for the day of slaughter.

4 How long will the land mourn

and the grass of every field wither?

For the evil of those who dwell in it

the beasts and the birds are swept away,

because they said, “He will not see our latter end.”

5 “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you,

how will you compete with horses?

And if in a safe land you are so trusting,

what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?

6 For even your brothers and the house of your father,

even they have dealt treacherously with you;

they are in full cry after you;

do not believe them,

though they speak friendly words to you.”

7 “I have forsaken my house;

I have abandoned my heritage;

I have given the beloved of my soul

into the hands of her enemies.

8 My heritage has become to me

like a lion in the forest;

she has lifted up her voice against me;

therefore I hate her.

9 Is my heritage to me like a hyena’s lair?

Are the birds of prey against her all around?

Go, assemble all the wild beasts;

bring them to devour.

10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard;

they have trampled down my portion;

they have made my pleasant portion

a desolate wilderness.

11 They have made it a desolation;

desolate, it mourns to me.

The whole land is made desolate,

but no man lays it to heart.

12 Upon all the bare heights in the desert

destroyers have come,

for the sword of the Lord devours

from one end of the land to the other;

no flesh has peace.

13 They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns;

they have tired themselves out but profit nothing.

They shall be ashamed of their harvests

because of the fierce anger of the Lord.”

14 Thus says the Lord concerning all my evil neighbors who touch the heritage that I have given my people Israel to inherit: “Behold, I will pluck them up from their land, and I will pluck up the house of Judah from among them. 15 And after I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his heritage and each to his land. 16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As the Lord lives,’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they shall be built up in the midst of my people. 17 But if any nation will not listen, then I will utterly pluck it up and destroy it, declares the Lord.”

1 Lord, you always give me justice

when I bring a case before you.

So let me bring you this complaint:

Why are the wicked so prosperous?

Why are evil people so happy?

2 You have planted them,

and they have taken root and prospered.

Your name is on their lips,

but you are far from their hearts.

3 But as for me, Lord, you know my heart.

You see me and test my thoughts.

Drag these people away like sheep to be butchered!

Set them aside to be slaughtered!

4 How long must this land mourn?

Even the grass in the fields has withered.

The wild animals and birds have disappeared

because of the evil in the land.

For the people have said,

“The Lord doesn’t see what’s ahead for us!”

5 “If racing against mere men makes you tired,

how will you race against horses?

If you stumble and fall on open ground,

what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan?

6 Even your brothers, members of your own family,

have turned against you.

They plot and raise complaints against you.

Do not trust them,

no matter how pleasantly they speak.

7 “I have abandoned my people, my special possession.

I have surrendered my dearest ones to their enemies.

8 My chosen people have roared at me like a lion of the forest,

so I have treated them with contempt.

9 My chosen people act like speckled vultures,

but they themselves are surrounded by vultures.

Bring on the wild animals to pick their corpses clean!

10 “Many rulers have ravaged my vineyard,

trampling down the vines

and turning all its beauty into a barren wilderness.

11 They have made it an empty wasteland;

I hear its mournful cry.

The whole land is desolate,

and no one even cares.

12 On all the bare hilltops,

destroying armies can be seen.

The sword of the Lord devours people

from one end of the nation to the other.

No one will escape!

13 My people have planted wheat

but are harvesting thorns.

They have worn themselves out,

but it has done them no good.

They will harvest a crop of shame

because of the fierce anger of the Lord.”

14 Now this is what the Lord says: “I will uproot from their land all the evil nations reaching out for the possession I gave my people Israel. And I will uproot Judah from among them. 15 But afterward I will return and have compassion on all of them. I will bring them home to their own lands again, each nation to its own possession. 16 And if these nations truly learn the ways of my people, and if they learn to swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives’ (just as they taught my people to swear by the name of Baal), then they will be given a place among my people. 17 But any nation who refuses to obey me will be uprooted and destroyed. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

1 Righteous are You, O Lord, when I plead with You;

Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments.

Why does the way of the wicked prosper?

Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?

2 You have planted them, yes, they have taken root;

They grow, yes, they bear fruit.

You are near in their mouth

But far from their mind.

3 But You, O Lord, know me;

You have seen me,

And You have tested my heart toward You.

Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter,

And prepare them for the day of slaughter.

4 How long will the land mourn,

And the herbs of every field wither?

The beasts and birds are consumed,

For the wickedness of those who dwell there,

Because they said, “He will not see our final end.”

5 “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you,

Then how can you contend with horses?

And if in the land of peace,

In which you trusted, they wearied you,

Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?

6 For even your brothers, the house of your father,

Even they have dealt treacherously with you;

Yes, they have called a multitude after you.

Do not believe them,

Even though they speak smooth words to you.

7 “I have forsaken My house, I have left My heritage;

I have given the dearly beloved of My soul into the hand of her enemies.

8 My heritage is to Me like a lion in the forest;

It cries out against Me;

Therefore I have hated it.

9 My heritage is to Me like a speckled vulture;

The vultures all around are against her.

Come, assemble all the beasts of the field,

Bring them to devour!

10 “Many rulers have destroyed My vineyard,

They have trodden My portion underfoot;

They have made My pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

11 They have made it desolate;

Desolate, it mourns to Me;

The whole land is made desolate,

Because no one takes it to heart.

12 The plunderers have come

On all the desolate heights in the wilderness,

For the sword of the Lord shall devour

From one end of the land to the other end of the land;

No flesh shall have peace.

13 They have sown wheat but reaped thorns;

They have put themselves to pain but do not profit.

But be ashamed of your harvest

Because of the fierce anger of the Lord.”

14 Thus says the Lord: “Against all My evil neighbors who touch the inheritance which I have caused My people Israel to inherit—behold, I will pluck them out of their land and pluck out the house of Judah from among them. 15 Then it shall be, after I have plucked them out, that I will return and have compassion on them and bring them back, everyone to his heritage and everyone to his land. 16 And it shall be, if they will learn carefully the ways of My people, to swear by My name, ‘As the Lord lives,’ as they taught My people to swear by Baal, then they shall be established in the midst of My people. 17 But if they do not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation,” says the Lord.

1 Lord, when I bring my case to you,

you are always right.

But I want to ask you about the justice you give.

Why are evil people successful?

Why do dishonest people have such easy lives?

2 You have put the evil people here

like plants with strong roots.

They grow and produce fruit.

With their mouths they speak well of you,

but their hearts are really far away from you.

3 But you know my heart, Lord.

You see me and test my thoughts about you.

Drag the evil people away like sheep to be butchered.

Set them aside for the day of killing.

4 How much longer will the land stay dried up

and the grass in every field be dead?

The animals and birds in the land have died,

because the people are evil.

Yes, they are even saying,

“God does not see what happens to us.”

5 “If you get tired while racing against people,

how can you race against horses?

If you stumble in a country that is safe,

what will you do in the thick thornbushes along the Jordan River?

6 Even your own brothers and members of your own family

are making plans against you.

They are crying out against you.

Don’t trust them,

even when they say nice things to you!

7 “I have left Israel;

I have left my people.

I have given the people I love

over to their enemies.

8 My people have become to me

like a lion in the forest.

They roar at me,

so I hate them.

9 My people have become to me

like a speckled bird attacked on all sides by hawks.

Go, gather the wild animals.

Bring them to get something to eat.

10 Many shepherds have ruined my vineyards

and trampled the plants in my field.

They have turned my beautiful field

into an empty desert.

11 They have turned my field into a desert

that is wilted and dead.

The whole country is an empty desert,

because no one who lives there cares.

12 Many soldiers have marched over those barren hills.

The Lord is using the armies to punish that land

from one end to the other.

No one is safe.

13 The people have planted wheat,

but they have harvested only thorns.

They have worked hard until they were very tired,

but they have nothing for all their work.

They are ashamed of their poor harvest,

because the Lord’s terrible anger has caused this.”

14 This is what the Lord said to me: “Here is what I will do to all my wicked neighbors who take the land I gave my people Israel. I will pull them up and throw them out of their land. And I will pull up the people of Judah from among them. 15 But after I pull them up, I will feel sorry for them again. I will bring each person back to his own property and to his own land. 16 I want them to learn their lessons well. In the past they taught my people to swear by Baal’s name. But if they will now learn to swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives …’ I will allow them to rebuild among my people. 17 But if a nation will not listen to my message, I will pull it up completely and destroy it,” says the Lord.

1 Righteous art thou, O Jehovah, when I contend with thee; yet would I reason the cause with thee: wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they at ease 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 heart. 3 But thou, O Jehovah, 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 country wither? for the wickedness of them that dwell therein, the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our latter 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 pride 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 I have hated her. 9 Is my heritage unto me as a speckled bird of prey? are the birds of prey against her round about? go ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, bring them to devour. 10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. 11 They have made it a desolation; it mourneth unto me, being desolate; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart. 12 Destroyers are come upon all the bare heights in the wilderness; for the sword of Jehovah devoureth from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh hath peace. 13 They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and ye shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of Jehovah.

14 Thus saith Jehovah against all mine evil neighbors, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit: Behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them. 15 And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them; and I will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. 16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, As Jehovah liveth; even as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built up in the midst of my people. 17 But if they will not hear, then will I pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying it, saith Jehovah.

1 Righteous art thou, Jehovah, when I plead with thee; yet will I speak with thee of thy judgments. Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they at ease that deal very treacherously? 2 Thou hast planted them, they also have taken root: they advance, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, but far from their reins. 3 But thou, Jehovah, knowest me; thou hast seen me, and proved my heart toward thee. Drag them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter. 4 How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of all the fields wither? Because of the wickedness of them that dwell therein, the beasts and the birds perish; for they say, He will not see our end. 5 If thou hast run with footmen, and they have wearied thee, how wilt thou then contend with horses? And if in a land of peace thou thinkest thyself in security, how wilt thou then do in the swelling 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 good words unto thee.

7 I have forsaken my house, I have cast off my heritage, I have given the beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies. 8 My heritage is become unto me as a lion in the forest; it hath raised its voice against me: therefore have I hated it. 9 My heritage is unto me as a speckled bird of prey; the birds of prey round about are against her. Go, assemble all the beasts of the field, bring them to devour. 10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness: 11 they have made it a desolation; desolate, it mourneth unto me: the whole land is made desolate, for no man layeth it to heart. 12 Spoilers are come upon all heights in the wilderness; for the sword of Jehovah devoureth from one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh hath peace. 13 They have sown wheat, and they reap thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and do not profit. Be ye therefore ashamed of your revenues, because of the fierce anger of Jehovah.

14 Thus saith Jehovah against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit: Behold, I will pluck them up out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them. 15 And it shall come to pass, after I have plucked them up, I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them back, each one to his inheritance, and each one to his land. 16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, As Jehovah liveth—even as they taught my people to swear by Baal—they shall be built up in the midst of my people. 17 And if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith Jehovah.

1 O Lord, even if I would argue my case with you, 

you would always be right. 

Yet, I want to talk to you about your justice. 

Why do wicked people succeed? 

Why do treacherous people have peace and quiet? 

2 You plant them, and they take root. 

They grow, and they produce fruit. 

They speak well of you with their lips, 

but their hearts are far from you. 

3 You know me, O Lord. 

You see me and test my devotion to you. 

Drag them away like sheep to be slaughtered. 

Prepare them for the day of slaughter. 

4 How long will the land mourn? 

How long will the plants in every field remain dried up? 

The animals and the birds are dying, 

because people are wicked. 

They think that Goddoesn’t know what they are doing. 

5 “If you have raced against others on foot, and they have tired you out, 

how can you compete with horses? 

If you stumble in open country, 

how can you live in the jungle along the Jordan River? 

6 Even your relatives and members of your father’s household betray you. 

They have also formed a mob to find you. 

Don’t trust them when they say good things about you. 

7 “I have abandoned my nation. 

I have left my own people. 

I have handed the people I love over to their enemies. 

8 My people have turned on me like a lion in the forest. 

They roar at me, so I hate them. 

9 My people are like a colorful bird of prey. 

Other birds of prey surround it. 

Go, gather all the animals in the field, 

and bring them to devour it. 

10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard. 

They’ve trampled my property. 

They’ve turned my pleasant property into a wasteland. 

11 They’ve left it a wasteland. 

Devastated, it mourns in my presence. 

The whole land is destroyed, 

but no one takes this to heart. 

12 Looters swarm all over the bare hills in the desert. 

The Lord’s sword destroys them 

from one end of the land to the other. 

No one will be safe. 

13 My people planted wheat, but they harvested thorns. 

They worked until they became sick, but they gained nothing by it. 

They were disappointed by their harvests 

because of the burning anger of the Lord. 

14 “This is what I, the Lord, say about all my evil neighbors who take the inheritance that I gave my people Israel: I am going to uproot those neighbors from their lands. I will also uproot the people of Judah from among them. 15 After I’ve uprooted them, I will have compassion on them again. I will return them to their inheritance and to their lands. 16 Suppose they learn carefully the ways of my people. Suppose they take an oath in my name, ‘As the Lord lives …’ as they taught my people to take an oath in ⸤the name of⸥ Baal. Then they will build homes among my people. 17 But suppose they don’t listen. Then I will uproot that nation and destroy it,” declares the Lord. 

1 You will be righteous, Lord,

even if I bring a case against You.

Yet, I wish to contend with You:

Why does the way of the wicked prosper?

Why do all the treacherous live at ease?

2 You planted them, and they have taken root.

They have grown and produced fruit.

You are ever on their lips,

but far from their conscience.

3 As for You, Lord, You know me; You see me.

You test whether my heart is with You.

Drag the wicked away like sheep to slaughter

and set them apart for the day of killing.

4 How long will the land mourn

and the grass of every field wither?

Because of the evil of its residents,

animals and birds have been swept away,

for the people have said,

“He cannot see what our end will be.”

5 If you have raced with runners

and they have worn you out,

how can you compete with horses?

If you stumble in a peaceful land,

what will you do in the thickets of the Jordan?

6 Even your brothers—your own father’s household—

even they were treacherous to you;

even they have cried out loudly after you.

Do not have confidence in them,

though they speak well of you.

7 I have abandoned My house;

I have deserted My inheritance.

I have given the love of My life

into the hands of her enemies.

8 My inheritance has acted toward Me

like a lion in the forest.

She has roared against Me.

Therefore, I hate her.

9 Is My inheritance like a hyena to Me?

Are birds of prey circling her?

Go, gather all the wild animals;

bring them to devour her.

10 Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard;

they have trampled My plot of land.

They have turned My desirable plot

into a desolate wasteland.

11 They have made it a desolation.

It mourns, desolate, before Me.

All the land is desolate,

but no one takes it to heart.

12 Over all the barren heights in the wilderness

the destroyers have come,

for the Lord has a sword that devours

from one end of the earth to the other.

No one has peace.

13 They have sown wheat but harvested thorns.

They have exhausted themselves but have no profit.

Be put to shame by your harvests

because of the Lord’s burning anger.

14 This is what the Lord says: “Concerning all My evil neighbors who attack the inheritance that I bequeathed to My people, Israel, I am about to uproot them from their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from them. 15 After I have uprooted them, I will once again have compassion on them and return each one to his inheritance and to his land. 16 If they will diligently learn the ways of My people —to swear by My name, ‘As Yahweh lives,’ just as they taught My people to swear by Baal—they will be built up among My people. 17 However, if they will not obey, then I will uproot and destroy that nation.”

This is the Lord’s declaration.

1 You will be in the right, O Lord,

when I lay charges against you,

but let me put my case to you.

Why does the way of the guilty prosper?

Why do all who are treacherous thrive?

2 You plant them, and they take root;

they grow and bring forth fruit;

you are near in their mouths

yet far from their hearts.

3 But you, O Lord, know me;

you see me and test me; my heart is with you.

Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter,

and set them apart for the day of slaughter.

4 How long will the land mourn

and the grass of every field wither?

For the wickedness of those who live in it,

the animals and the birds are swept away,

and because people said, “He is blind to our ways.”

5 If you have raced with runners and they have wearied you,

how will you compete with horses?

And if you trust in a safe land,

how will you fare in the thickets of the Jordan?

6 For even your kinsfolk and your own family,

even they have dealt treacherously with you;

they are in full cry after you;

do not believe them,

though they speak friendly words to you.

7 I have forsaken my house;

I have abandoned my heritage;

I have given the beloved of my heart

into the hands of her enemies.

8 My heritage has become to me

like a lion in the forest;

she has lifted up her voice against me—

therefore I hate her.

9 Is the hawk hungry for my heritage?

Are the vultures all around her?

Go, assemble all the wild animals;

bring them to devour her.

10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard;

they have trampled down my portion;

they have made my pleasant portion

a desolate wilderness.

11 They have made it a desolation;

desolate, it mourns to me.

The whole land is made desolate,

but no one lays it to heart.

12 Upon all the bare heights in the desert,

spoilers have come,

for the sword of the Lord devours

from one end of the land to the other;

no one shall be safe.

13 They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns;

they have tired themselves out but profit nothing.

They shall be ashamed of their harvests

because of the fierce anger of the Lord.

14 Thus says the Lord concerning all my evil neighbors who touch the heritage that I have given my people Israel to inherit: I am about to pluck them up from their land, and I will pluck up the house of Judah from among them. 15 And after I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again to their heritage and to their land, every one of them. 16 And then, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, “As the Lord lives,” as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they shall be built up in the midst of my people. 17 But if any nation will not listen, then I will completely uproot it and destroy it, says the Lord.

1 You will be in the right, O Yahweh, when I complain to you.

Even so, let me speak my claims with you.

Why does the way of the wicked succeed?

All those who deal treacherously with treachery are at ease.

2 Not only do you plant them, they take root.

They grow, but also they produce fruit.

You are near in their mouths,

but far from their inmost beings.

3 But you, O Yahweh, you know me,

you see me, and you test that my heart is with you.

Tear them apart like sheep for the slaughtering,

and set them apart for the day of slaughter.

4 How long will the land mourn, and the vegetation of every field dry up,

because of the wickedness of those who live in it?

The animals and the birds are swept away,

because they have said, “He does not see our future.”

5 “If you run with foot soldiers and they have made you weary,

then how will you compete with horses?

If you have fallen in a peaceful land,

then how will you do in the thickets of the Jordan?

6 For even your relatives, and the house of your father,

even they have dealt treacherously with you,

even they call loudly after you.

You must not trust in them, though they speak kindly to you.

7 I have forsaken my house, I have abandoned my inheritance.

I have given the beloved one of my heart into the hand of her enemies.

8 My inheritance has become to me like a lion in the forest.

She has lifted up against me her voice; therefore I hate her.

9 The lair of the hyena is my inheritance to me,

the birds of prey are all around her.

Go, gather all of the animals of the field,

bring them to come and devour.

10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard,

they have trampled down my plot of land.

They have made my pleasant field

like the desert of desolation.

11 They have made it a desolation.

Desolate, it mourns to me.

All the land is made desolate,

but there is no person taking it to heart.

12 Upon all the barren heights in the desert destroyers have come,

for the sword of Yahweh devours,

from one end of the land to the other end of the land,

there is no peace for all flesh.

13 They have sown wheat and they have reaped thorns.

They are exhausted, they do not profit.

And they will be ashamed of your produce,

because of the burning anger of Yahweh.”

14 Thus says Yahweh concerning all of the evil neighbors who touch the inheritance that I gave as an inheritance to my people Israel: “Look, I am about to drive them out from their land, and the house of Judah I will drive out from among them. 15 And then after my driving them out, I will once again have compassion on them, and I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance, and each one to his land. 16 And then, if they diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘as Yahweh lives,’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will live in the midst of my people. 17 But if they do not listen, then I will completely uproot and destroy that nation.” declares Yahweh.

1 Lord, when I bring a matter to you,

you always do what is right.

But now I would like to speak with you

about whether you are being fair.

Why are sinful people successful?

Why do those who can’t be trusted have an easy life?

2 You have planted them.

Their roots are deep in the ground.

They grow and produce fruit.

They honor you by what they say.

But their hearts are far away from you.

3 Lord, you know me and see me.

You test my thoughts about you.

Drag those people off like sheep to be killed!

Set them apart for the day of their death!

4 How long will the land be thirsty for water?

How long will the grass in every field be dry?

The people who live in the land are evil.

So the animals and birds have died.

And that’s not all. The people are saying,

“The Lord won’t see what happens to us.”

5 The Lord says, “Suppose you have run in a race with other men.

And suppose they have worn you out.

Then how would you be able to race against horses?

Suppose you feel safe only in open country.

Then how would you get along in the bushes near the Jordan River?

6 Even your own family has turned against you.

They have shouted loudly at you.

They might say nice things about you.

But do not trust them.

7 “I will turn my back on my people.

I will desert my land.

I love the people of Judah.

In spite of that, I will hand them over to their enemies.

8 My land has become to me

like a lion in the forest.

It roars at me.

So I hate it.

9 My own land has become like a spotted hawk.

And other hawks surround it and attack it.

Come, all of you wild animals!

Gather together!

Come together to eat up my land.

10 Many shepherds will destroy my vineyard.

They will walk all over it.

They will turn my pleasant vineyard

into a dry and empty land.

11 My vineyard will become a desert.

It will be dry and empty in my sight.

The whole land will be completely destroyed.

And no one even cares.

12 Many will come to destroy it.

They will gather on the bare hilltops in the desert.

I will use them as my sword to destroy my people.

They will kill them from one end of the land to the other.

No one will be safe.

13 People will plant wheat. But all they will gather is thorns.

They will wear themselves out. But they will not have anything to show for it.

My anger is burning against you.

So you will be ashamed of the crop you gather.”

14 The Lord continues, “All of my evil neighbors have taken over the land I gave my people Israel. So I will pull them up by their roots from the lands they live in. And I will pull up the roots of the people of Judah from among them.

15 “But after I pull those nations up, I will show my tender love to them again. I will bring all of them back to their own lands. I will take all of them back to their own countries.

16 “Suppose they learn to follow the practices of my people. And they take an oath and make a promise in my name. They say, ‘You can be sure that the Lord is alive.’ They do it just as they once taught my people to take oaths in Baal’s name. Then I will give them a place among my people.

17 “But what if one of those nations does not listen? Then you can be sure I will pull it up by the roots and destroy it,” announces the Lord.

1 Righteous are You, O Lord, that I would plead my case with You;

Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You:

Why has the way of the wicked prospered?

Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?

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 mind.

3 But You know me, O Lord;

You see me;

And You examine 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 vegetation of the countryside to wither?

For the wickedness of those who dwell in it,

Animals and birds have been snatched 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 cried 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 roared 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!

10 “Many shepherds have ruined My vineyard,

They have trampled down My field;

They have made My pleasant field

A desolate wilderness.

11 “It has been made a desolation,

Desolate, it mourns before Me;

The whole land has been made desolate,

Because no man lays it to heart.

12 “On all the bare heights in the wilderness

Destroyers have come,

For a sword of the Lord is devouring

From one end of the land even to the other;

There is no peace for anyone.

13 “They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns,

They have strained themselves to no profit.

But be ashamed of your harvest

Because of the fierce anger of the Lord.”

14 Thus says the Lord concerning all My wicked neighbors who strike at the inheritance with which I have endowed My people Israel, “Behold I am about to uproot them from their land and will uproot the house of Judah from among them.

15 “And it will come about that after I have uprooted them, I will again have compassion on them; and I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance and each one to his land.

16 “Then if they will really learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, ‘As the Lord lives,’ even as they taught My people to swear by Baal, they will be built up in the midst of My people.

17 “But if they will not listen, then I will uproot that nation, uproot and destroy it,” declares the Lord.