Jeremiah 12:1-5
Jeremiah’s Complaint
1 aRighteous are you, O Lord,when I complain to you;
yet I would plead my case before you.
bWhy does the way of the wicked prosper?
Why do all cwho are treacherous thrive?
2You plant them, and they take root;
they grow and produce fruit;
dyou are near in their mouth
and far from their heart.
3 eBut you, O Lord, know me;
fyou see me, and test my heart toward you.
gPull them out like sheep for the slaughter,
and set them apart for hthe day of slaughter.
4 iHow long will the land mourn
and the grass of every field wither?
jFor the evil of those who dwell in it
kthe beasts and the birds are swept away,
because they said, “He will not see our latter end.”
The Lord Answers Jeremiah
5 “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you,how will you compete with horses?
And if in a safe land you are so trusting,
what will you do in lthe thicket of the Jordan?
Jeremiah 15:10-18
Jeremiah’s Complaint
10 mWoe is me, my mother, that you bore me, a man of strife and contention to the whole land! nI have not lent, nor have I borrowed, yet all of them curse me. 11The Lord said, “Have I not ▼▼The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
set you free for their good? Have I not pleaded for you before the enemy in the time of trouble and in the time of distress? 12Can one break iron, iron pfrom the north, and bronze? 13 q“Your wealth and your treasures I will give as rspoil, without price, for all your sins, throughout all your territory. 14I will make you serve your enemies sin a land that you do not know, tfor in my anger a fire is kindled that shall burn forever.”
15 uO Lord, you know;
vremember me and visit me,
w, xand take vengeance for me on my persecutors.
In your forbearance take me not away;
yknow that zfor your sake I bear reproach.
16Your words were found, aaand I ate them,
and abyour words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart,
acfor I am called by your name,
O Lord, God of hosts.
17 adI did not sit in the company of revelers,
nor did I rejoice;
aeI sat alone, because your hand was upon me,
for you had filled me with indignation.
18Why is my pain unceasing,
afmy wound incurable,
refusing to be healed?
Will you be to me aglike a deceitful brook,
like waters that fail?
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