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26 For criminals lurk among my people;
    like fowlers they set traps,
    but it is human beings they catch.(A)
27 Their houses are as full of treachery
    as a bird-cage is of birds;
Therefore they grow powerful and rich,
28     fat and sleek.
They pass over wicked deeds;
    justice they do not defend
By advancing the claim of the orphan
    or judging the cause of the poor.(B)
29 Shall I not punish these things?—oracle of the Lord;
    on a nation such as this shall I not take vengeance?

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26 For scoundrels are found among my people;
    they take over the goods of others.
Like fowlers they set a trap;[a]
    they catch human beings.
27 Like a cage full of birds,
    their houses are full of treachery;
therefore they have become great and rich,
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.
29 Shall I not punish them for these things?
says the Lord,
    and shall I not bring retribution
    on a nation such as this?

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 5:26 Meaning of Heb 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

26 For wicked people are found among My people,
They (A)watch like fowlers [a]lying in wait;
They set a trap,
They catch people.
27 Like a cage full of birds,
So their houses are full of (B)deceit;
Therefore they have become great and rich.
28 They are (C)fat, they are sleek,
They also [b]excel in deeds of wickedness;
They do not plead the cause,
The cause of the [c](D)orphan, so that they may be successful;
And they do not [d]defend the rights of the poor.
29 (E)Shall I not punish them for these things?’ declares the Lord,
‘Or shall I not avenge Myself
On a nation such as this?’

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 5:26 Perhaps, crouching down
  2. Jeremiah 5:28 Lit pass over; or overlook deeds
  3. Jeremiah 5:28 Or fatherless
  4. Jeremiah 5:28 Lit judge

26 “Among my people are the wicked(A)
    who lie in wait(B) like men who snare birds
    and like those who set traps(C) to catch people.
27 Like cages full of birds,
    their houses are full of deceit;(D)
they have become rich(E) and powerful
28     and have grown fat(F) and sleek.
Their evil deeds have no limit;
    they do not seek justice.
They do not promote the case of the fatherless;(G)
    they do not defend the just cause of the poor.(H)
29 Should I not punish them for this?”
    declares the Lord.
“Should I not avenge(I) myself
    on such a nation as this?

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