Jeremiah 12:1-9

English Standard Version

12 ^(A)Righteous are you, O Lord,
    when I complain to you;
    yet I would plead my case before you.
^(B)Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
    Why do all ^(C)who are treacherous thrive?
² You plant them, and they take root;
    they grow and produce fruit;
^(D)you are near in their mouth
    and far from their heart.
^3 (E)But you, O Lord, know me;
    ^(F)you see me, and test my heart toward you.
^(G)Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter,
    and set them apart for ^(H)the day of slaughter.
^4 (I)How long will the land mourn
    and the grass of every field wither?
^(J)For the evil of those who dwell in it
    ^(K)the beasts and the birds are swept away,
    because they said, “He will not see our latter end.”

⁵ “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you,
    how will you compete with horses?
And if in a safe land you are so trusting,
    what will you do in ^(L)the thicket of the Jordan?
⁶ For ^(M)even your brothers and the house of your father,
    ^(N)even they have dealt treacherously with you;
    they are in full cry after you;
^(O)do not believe them,
    though they speak friendly words to you.”