Jeremiah 5:4–5

Then I said, “These are only the poor;

they have no sense;

for they do not know the way of the Lord,

the justice of their God.

I will go to the great

and will speak to them,

for they know the way of the Lord,

the justice of their God.”

But they all alike had broken the yoke;

they had burst the bonds.

I thought, “These are only the poor;

they are foolish,

for they do not know the way of the Lord,

the requirements of their God.

So I will go to the leaders

and speak to them;

surely they know the way of the Lord,

the requirements of their God.”

But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke

and torn off the bonds.

Then I thought:

They are just the poor;

they have been foolish.

For they don’t understand the way of the Lord,

the justice of their God.

I will go to the powerful

and speak to them.

Surely they know the way of the Lord,

the justice of their God.

However, these also had broken the yoke

and torn off the chains.

Then I said, “But what can we expect from the poor?

They are ignorant.

They don’t know the ways of the Lord.

They don’t understand God’s laws.

So I will go and speak to their leaders.

Surely they know the ways of the Lord

and understand God’s laws.”

But the leaders, too, as one man,

had thrown off God’s yoke

and broken his chains.

Then I said, “They are just simple people,

they are foolish,

for they know not the way of Yahweh,

the law of their God.

Let me go to the great,

and let me speak with them,

for they know the way of Yahweh,

the law of their God.”

However, they together have broken the yoke,

they have torn to pieces the bonds.

Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgment of their God. I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the Lord, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.