Parallel Bible results for "jeremiah 12"

Jeremiah 12

New Century Version NCV

1 Lord, when I bring my case to you, you are always right. But I want to ask you about the justice you give. Why are evil people successful? Why do dishonest people have such easy lives?

2 You have put the evil people here like plants with strong roots. They grow and produce fruit. With their mouths they speak well of you, but their hearts are really far away from you.

3 But you know my heart, Lord. You see me and test my thoughts about you. Drag the evil people away like sheep to be butchered. Set them aside for the day of killing.

4 How much longer will the land stay dried up and the grass in every field be dead? The animals and birds in the land have died, because the people are evil. Yes, they are even saying, "God does not see what happens to us."

5 "If you get tired while racing against people, how can you race against horses? If you stumble in a country that is safe, what will you do in the thick thornbushes along the Jordan River?

6 Even your own brothers and members of your own family are making plans against you. They are crying out against you. Don't trust them, even when they say nice things to you!

7 "I have left Israel; I have left my people. I have given the people I love over to their enemies.

8 My people have become to me like a lion in the forest. They roar at me, so I hate them.

9 My people have become to me like a speckled bird attacked on all sides by hawks. Go, gather the wild animals. Bring them to get something to eat.

10 Many shepherds have ruined my vineyards and trampled the plants in my field. They have turned my beautiful field into an empty desert.

11 They have turned my field into a desert that is wilted and dead. The whole country is an empty desert, because no one who lives there cares.

12 Many soldiers have marched over those barren hills. from one end to the other. No one is safe.

13 The people have planted wheat, but they have harvested only thorns. They have worked hard until they were very tired, but they have nothing for all their work. They are ashamed of their poor harvest, because the Lord's terrible anger has caused this."

14 This is what the Lord said to me: "Here is what I will do to all my wicked neighbors who take the land I gave my people Israel. I will pull them up and throw them out of their land. And I will pull up the people of Judah from among them.

15 But after I pull them up, I will feel sorry for them again. I will bring each person back to his own property and to his own land.

16 I want them to learn their lessons well. In the past they taught my people to swear by Baal's name. But if they will now learn to swear by my name, saying 'As surely as the Lord lives . . .' I will allow them to rebuild among my people.

17 But if a nation will not listen to my message, I will pull it up completely and destroy it," says the Lord.

Good News Translation GNT

1 "Lord, if I argued my case with you, you would prove to be right. Yet I must question you about matters of justice. Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why do dishonest people succeed?

2 You plant them, and they take root; they grow and bear fruit. They always speak well of you, yet they do not really care about you.

3 But, Lord, you know me; you see what I do and how I love you. Drag these evil people away like sheep to be butchered; guard them until it is time for them to be slaughtered.

4 How long will our land be dry, and the grass in every field be withered? Animals and birds are dying because of the wickedness of our people, people who say, "God doesn't see what we are doing.' "

5 The Lord said, "Jeremiah, if you get tired racing against people, how can you race against horses? If you can't even stand up in open country, how will you manage in the jungle by the Jordan?

6 Even your relatives, members of your own family, have betrayed you; they join in the attacks against you. Do not trust them, even though they speak friendly words."

7 The Lord says, "I have abandoned Israel; I have rejected my chosen nation. I have given the people I love into the power of their enemies.

8 My chosen people have turned against me; like a lion in the forest they have roared at me, and so I hate them.

9 My chosen people are like a bird attacked from all sides by hawks. Call the wild animals to come and join in the feast!

10 Many foreign rulers have destroyed my vineyard; they have trampled down my fields; they have turned my lovely land into a desert.

11 They have made it a wasteland; it lies desolate before me. The whole land has become a desert, and no one cares.

12 Across all the desert highlands people have come to plunder. I have sent war to destroy the entire land; no one can live in peace.

13 My people planted wheat, but gathered weeds; they have worked hard, but got nothing for it. Because of my fierce anger their crops have failed."

14 The Lord says, "I have something to say about Israel's neighbors who have ruined the land I gave to my people Israel. I will take those wicked people away from their countries like an uprooted plant, and I will rescue Judah from them.

15 But after I have taken them away, I will have mercy on them; I will bring each nation back to its own land and to its own country.

16 If with all their hearts they will accept the religion of my people and will swear, "As the Lord lives' - as they once taught my people to swear by Baal - then they will also be a part of my people and will prosper.

17 But if any nation will not obey, then I will completely uproot it and destroy it. I, the Lord, have spoken."