²¹ But Benjamin’s warriors, who were defending the town, came out and killed 22,000 Israelites on the battlefield that day.

²⁵ but the men of Benjamin killed another 18,000 Israelites, all of whom were experienced with the sword.

Jeremiah Questions the Lord’s Justice

Death Comes to All

9 This, too, I carefully explored: Even though the actions of godly and wise people are in God’s hands, no one knows whether God will show them favor. ² The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether righteous or wicked, good or bad,^[a] ceremonially clean or unclean, religious or irreligious. Good people receive the same treatment as sinners, and people who make promises to God are treated like people who don’t.

³ It seems so wrong that everyone under the sun suffers the same fate. Already twisted by evil, people choose their own mad course, for they have no hope. There is nothing ahead but death anyway.

¹⁰ And now you are planning to make slaves of these people from Judah and Jerusalem. What about your own sins against the Lord your God?

Miscellaneous Regulations

⁹ “When you go to war against your enemies, be sure to stay away from anything that is impure.