Jeremiah’s Complaint

12 You will be righteous, Lord,(A)
even if I bring a case against you.
Yet, I wish to contend with you:(B)
Why does the way of the wicked prosper?(C)
Why do all the treacherous live at ease?
You planted them,(D) and they have taken root.
They have grown and produced fruit.
You are ever on their lips,[a]
but far from their conscience.[b](E)
As for you, Lord, you know me; you see me.(F)
You test whether my heart is with you.(G)
Drag the wicked away like sheep to slaughter(H)
and set them apart for the day of killing.
How long will the land mourn(I)
and the grass of every field wither?
Because of the evil of its residents,
animals and birds have been swept away,(J)
for the people have said,
“He cannot see what our end will be.”[c](K)

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Notas al pie

  1. 12:2 Lit are near in their mouth
  2. 12:2 Lit kidneys
  3. 12:4 LXX reads see our ways

12 If I took you to court, Lord,
    you would win.
But I still have questions about your justice.
    Why do guilty persons enjoy success?
    Why are evildoers so happy?
You plant them, and they take root;
    they flourish and bear fruit.
You are always on their lips
    but far from their hearts.
Yet you, Lord, you know me.
    You see me.
You can tell that I love you.[a]
    So drag them away
    and butcher them like sheep.
    Prepare them for the slaughterhouse.
How long will the land mourn
    and the grass in the fields dry up?
The animals and birds are swept away
    due to the evil of those in the land.
The people say,
    “God doesn’t see what we’re up to!”

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Notas al pie

  1. Jeremiah 12:3 Or You test my heart.