Picture Study Bible with Maps and Background Information
jeremiah 12
1 - You are righteous, The LORD,when I contend with you;yet I would like to reason the cause with you.Why does the way of the wicked prosper?Why are they all at ease who deal very treacherously?
2 - You have planted them. Yes, they have taken root.They grow. Yes, they produce fruit.You are near in their mouth,and far from their heart.
3 - But you, The LORD, know me.You see me, and test my heart toward you.Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter,and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
4 - How long will the land mourn,and the herbs of the whole country wither?Because of the wickedness of those who dwell therein,the animals and birds are consumed;because they said,"He won't see our latter end."
5 - "If you have run with the footmen,and they have wearied you,then how can you contend with horses?Though in a land of peace you are secure,yet how will you do in the pride of the Jordan?
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!Don't believe them,though they speak beautiful 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 has 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 all around?Go, assemble all the animals 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 one cares.
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.
13 - They have sown wheat,and have reaped thorns.They have exhausted themselves,and profit nothing.You will be ashamed of your fruits,because of The LORD's fierce anger."
14 - The LORD says, "Concerning all my evil neighbors, who 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 - It will happen, that after I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them. I will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.
16 - It will 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 will they be built up in the middle of my people.
17 - But if they will not hear, then I will pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying it," says The LORD.
