Jer 4:22 | NETfull | STEP | The Lord answered, “This will happen because my people are foolish. They do not know me. They are like children who have no sense. They have no understanding. They are skilled at doing evil. They do not know how to do good.”

Jeremiah 4:22

22 The Lord answered, ^{▼▼ These words are not in the text but are supplied in the translation to show clearly the shift in speaker. Jeremiah has been speaking; now the Lord answers, giving the reason for the devastation Jeremiah foresees.}

“This will happen ^{▼▼ Heb “For….” This gives the explanation for the destruction envisaged in 4:20 to which Jeremiah responds in 4:19, 21.} because my people are foolish.
They do not know me.
They are like children who have no sense. ^{▼▼ Heb “They are senseless children.”}
They have no understanding.
They are skilled at doing evil.
They do not know how to do good.”