Jer 4:22 | NET2full | 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, ^{▼▼tn 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 ^{▼▼tn 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. ^{▼▼tn Heb “They are senseless children.”}
They have no understanding.
They are skilled at doing evil.
They do not know how to do good.”