Jeremiah 12

Modern English Version

12 Righteous are You, O Lord,
    that I plead with You.
Indeed, let me talk with You about matters of justice.
    Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
    Why are all those happy who deal very treacherously?
² You have planted them; indeed, they have taken root;
    they grow; indeed, they bring forth fruit.
You are near in their mouth,
    but far from their mind.
³ But You, O Lord, know me;
    You have seen me and tested my heart toward You.
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 every field wither?
For the wickedness of those who dwell in it,
    the beasts and the birds have been snatched away,
because they said,
    “He will not see our latter 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 thicket of the Jordan?
⁶ For even your brothers and the household of your father,
    even they have dealt treacherously with you.
    Indeed, they have cried aloud after you.
Do not believe them
    though they speak fair words to you.