Jer 5:4-5, 9:3 | JFB | STEP | 4. poor —rather, " the poor." He supposes for the moment that this utter depravity is confined to the uninstructed poor, and that he would find a different state of things in the higher ranks: but there he finds unbridled profligacy.

Jeremiah 5:4-5

4. poor—rather, "the poor." He supposes for the moment that this utter depravity is confined to the uninstructed poor, and that he would find a different state of things in the higher ranks: but there he finds unbridled profligacy.

5. they have known—rather, "they must know." The prophet supposes it as probable, considering their position.

but these—I found the very reverse to be the case.

burst . . . bonds—set God's law at defiance (Ps 2:3).

Jeremiah 9:3

3. bend . . . tongues . . . for lies—that is, with lies as their arrows; they direct lies on their tongue as their bow (Ps 64:3, 4).

not valiant for . . . truth— (Jer 7:28). MAURER translates, "They do not prevail by truth" or faith (Ps 12:4). Their tongue, not faith, is their weapon.

upon . . . earth—rather, "in the land."

know not me— (Ho 4:1).