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26 For the wicked are found among my people.
    They lie in wait like hunters;
destroyers,[a] they catch humans.(A)
27 Like a cage full of birds,
    their houses are full of treachery;
therefore they have become great and rich;(B)
28     they have grown fat and sleek.
They know no limits in deeds of wickedness;
    they do not judge with justice
the cause of the orphan, to make it prosper,
    and they do not defend the rights of the needy.(C)
29 Shall I not punish them for these things?
            says the Lord,
    and shall I not bring retribution
    on a nation such as this?(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 5.26 Meaning of Heb uncertain

26 “Evil men are found among my people.
    They lie in wait like someone who traps birds.
They set a trap,
    but they do so to catch people.
27 Like a cage full of birds,
    so their houses are filled with treachery.
This is how they have become prominent and rich,
28 and have grown fat and sleek.
There is no limit[a] to their evil deeds.
    They don’t argue the case of the orphan to secure[b] justice.
        They don’t defend the rights of[c] the poor.
29 ‘Should I not punish them for this?’[d]
    asks the Lord.
‘Should I not avenge myself
    on a nation like this?’

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 5:28 Lit. pass over; or transgress
  2. Jeremiah 5:28 Lit. win
  3. Jeremiah 5:28 Lit. judge justly
  4. Jeremiah 5:29 Or punish these people