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12 You are righteous, Yahweh,
    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?
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.
But you, Yahweh, 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.
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.”

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Jeremiah’s Prayer

12 (A)Righteous are You, Lord, when I plead my case with You;
Nevertheless I would (B)discuss matters of justice with You:
Why has the (C)way of the wicked prospered?
Why are all those who (D)deal in treachery at ease?
You have (E)planted them, they have also taken root;
They grow, they have also produced fruit.
You are (F)near [a]to their lips
But far from their [b]mind.
But You (G)know me, Lord;
You see me
And (H)examine my heart’s attitude toward You.
Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter,
And [c]set them apart for a (I)day of slaughter!
How long is the (J)land to mourn,
And the (K)vegetation of the [d]countryside to dry up?
Due to the (L)wickedness of those who live in it,
(M)Animals and birds have been snatched away,
Because people have said, “He will not see our final (N)end.”

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 12:2 Lit in their mouth
  2. Jeremiah 12:2 Lit kidneys
  3. Jeremiah 12:3 Lit sanctify them
  4. Jeremiah 12:4 Lit whole field