26 For wicked men are found among my people;
    (A)they lurk like fowlers lying in wait.[a]
(B)They set a trap;
    they catch men.
27 Like a cage full of birds,
    their houses are full of deceit;
therefore they have become great and rich;
28     (C)they have grown fat and sleek.
They know no bounds in deeds of evil;
    (D)they judge not with justice
the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper,
    and they do not defend the rights of the needy.
29 (E)Shall I not punish them for these things?
declares the Lord,
    and shall I not avenge myself
    on a nation such as this?”

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 5:26 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain

26 Criminals are found among my people;
    they set traps to catch people,
        like hunters lying in wait.[a]
27 Like a cage full of birds,
    so their houses are full of loot.
No wonder they are rich and powerful
28     and have grown fat and sleek!
To be sure, their evil deeds exceed all limits,
    and yet they prosper.
They are indifferent to the plight of the orphan,
    reluctant to defend the rights of the poor.
29 Shouldn’t I punish such acts?
        declares the Lord.
    Shouldn’t I repay that nation for its deeds?

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 5:26 Heb uncertain