Jer 12 | EngLXX | STEP | Righteous are you, O Lord, that I may make my defence to you, yes, I will speak to you of judgments. Why is it that the way of ungodly men prospers? that all that deal very treacherously are flourishing?

‏ Jeremiah 12

1 Righteous are you, O Lord, that I may make my defence to you, yes, I will speak to youof judgments. Whyis it that the way of ungodlymen prospers?that all that deal very treacherously are flourishing? 2 You have planted them, and they have taken root; they have begotten children, and becomefruitful; you are near to their mouth, and far from their reins. 3 But you, Lord, know me; you have proved my heart before you; purify them for the day oftheir slaughter. 4 How long shall the land mourn, and the grass of the field wither, for the wickedness ofthem, that dwell in it? the beasts and birds are utterly destroyed; becausethe people said, God shall not see our ways. 5 Your feet run, and they cause you to faint; how will you prepareto ride upon horses? and you have been confident in the land of your peace? how will you doin the roaring of Jordan? 6 For even your brethren and the house of your father, even these have dealt treacherouslywith you; and they have cried out, they are gathered together in pursuit of you; trust not you in them,though they shall speak fairwords to you. 7 I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given my beloved one intothe hands of her enemies. 8 My inheritance has become to me as a lion in a forest; she has uttered her voice againstme; therefore have I hated her. 9 Is not my inheritance to me a hyaena's cave, or a cave round about her? Go you⌃, gathertogether all the wild beasts of the field, and let them come to devour her. 10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have defiled my portion, they have mademy desirable portion a trackless wilderness; 11 it is made a complete ruin: for my sake the whole land has been utterly ruined, becausethere is none that laysthe matter to heart. 12 The ravagers are come to every passage in the wilderness: for the sword of the Lord willdevour from one end of the land to the other: no flesh has any peace. 13 Sow wheat, and reap thorns; their portions shall not profit them: be ashamed of yourboasting, because of reproach before the Lord. 14 For thus says the Lord, concerning all the evil neighbors that touch mine inheritance,which I have divided to my people Israel; Behold, Iwill draw them away from their land, and I will cast out Juda from the midst of them. 15 And it shall come to pass, after I have cast them out,that I will return, and have mercy upon them, and will cause them to dwell every one in hisinheritance, and every one in his land. 16 And it shall be, if they will indeed learn the way of my people, to swear by my name,saying, The Lord lives; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shallthat nation be built in the midst of my people. 17 But if they will not return, then will I cut off that nation with utter ruin and destruction.