Jeremiah 12

1You are righteous, Yahweh, when I plead with you; yet let me speak with you about justice: why does the way of the wicked prosper, why are all at ease who deal so treacherously?

2You have planted them; indeed, they take root; they grow; indeed, they bear fruit. You are near in their mouths, but far from their hearts.

3But you, Yahweh, know me; you see me and examine my heart toward you: draw them out like sheep for the slaughter, and consecrate them for the day of slaughter.

4How long will the land mourn and the grass of the whole field wither because of the evil of those dwelling in it? Beasts and birds have been consumed, for they said, "He will not see our end."

5If you raced with footmen and they wearied you, how will you contend with horses? And if you feel secure in a land of peace, how will you manage in the pride of the Jordan?

6For even your brothers and your father's house—even they have acted treacherously against you; even they have summoned a crowd after you: do not trust them, though they speak pleasant words to you.

7I have forsaken my house, abandoned my inheritance, and delivered the beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.

8My heritage has become like a lion in the forest to me; she has raised her voice against me; therefore I have hated her.

9Is my heritage a speckled bird of prey to me? Are birds of prey circling her? Go, assemble all the beasts of the field; bring them to devour.

10Many shepherds have ruined my vineyard, trampled my portion, and turned my treasured portion into a barren desolation.

11They have laid it waste; desolate, it mourns to me; the whole land lies appalled because no one takes it to heart.

12Raiders have overrun every bare height in the wilderness, for Yahweh's sword devours from one end of the land to the other end of the land—no flesh has peace.

13They sowed wheat but reaped thorns; they labored but gained nothing; and you will be ashamed of your harvests because of Yahweh's fierce anger.

14Thus says Yahweh against all my evil neighbors who touch the inheritance I have caused my people Israel to inherit: Behold, I will uproot them from their land and uproot the house of Judah from among them.

15After I uproot them, I will return and show them mercy, and restore each to his inheritance and each to his land.

16It will happen, if they diligently learn the ways of my people by swearing in my name, "Yahweh lives," as they taught my people to swear by Baal, that they will be built up among my people.

17But if they do not listen, then I will pluck up that nation, plucking it up and destroying it, says Yahweh.