Jeremiah 12

1 You are righteous, LORD, when I contend with you; yet I would reason the cause with you: why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are they all at ease who deal very treacherously?NHEB — Jeremiah 12:1

2 You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; they grow, yes, they bring forth fruit: you are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:2

3 But you, LORD, 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.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:3

4 How long shall the land be parched, and the grass of every field wither? For the wickedness of those who dwell in it, the animals are consumed, and the birds; because they said, "He shall not see our latter end."NHEB — Jeremiah 12:4

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?NHEB — Jeremiah 12:5

6 For even your brothers, and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; even they have cried aloud after you: do not believe them, though they speak beautiful words to you.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:6

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.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:7

8 My heritage has become to me as a lion in the forest: she has uttered her voice against me; therefore I have hated her.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:8

9 Is my heritage to me as a speckled bird of prey? Are the birds of prey against her all around? Go, assemble all the animals of the field, bring them to devour.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:9

10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:10

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.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:11

12 Destroyers have come on all the bare heights in the wilderness; for the sword of the LORD devours from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh has peace.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:12

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 the LORD.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:13

14 Thus says the LORD against all my evil neighbors, who touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit: 'look, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:14

15 It shall happen, 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.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:15

16 It shall happen, 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 shall they be built up in the midst of my people.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:16

17 But if they will not hear, then will I pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying it,'" says the LORD.NHEB — Jeremiah 12:17