Jer 12
1
Righteous are you, O YHWH, when I contend with you; yet would I reason the cause with
you: wherefore does the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they at ease
that deal very treacherously?
2
You have planted them, yea, they have taken root; they grow, yea, they bring forth
fruit: you are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.
3
But you, O YHWH, know me; you see me, and try 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 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 you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend
with horses? and though in a land of peace you are secure, yet how will you do in
the pride of the Jordan?
6
For even your brethren, and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously
with you; even they have cried aloud after you: believe them not, though they speak
fair words to you.
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 to me as a lion in the forest: she has uttered her voice against
me; therefore I have hated her.
9
Is my heritage to me as a speckled bird of prey? are the birds of prey against her
round about? go you, 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 mourns to me, being desolate; the whole land is
made desolate, because no man lays it to heart.
12
Destroyers are come upon all the bare heights in the wilderness; for the sword of
YHWH devours from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh
has peace.
13
They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and
profit nothing: and you shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger
of YHWH.
14
Thus says YHWH 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 YHWH lives; 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, says YHWH.