A Call to Endure and Judgment on Nations
Jeremiah 12:5-17
Jer.12.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- רגלים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רצתה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וילאוך: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,ms,sg
- ואיך: CONJ+ADV
- תתחרה: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הסוסים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ובארץ: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- בוטח: PART,qal,act,m,sg
- ואיך: CONJ+ADV
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- בגאון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Psalm 20:7 (verbal): Direct verbal and thematic echo about reliance upon chariots/horses versus trust—Jeremiah’s question about handling horses contrasts human military strength with misplaced trust.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (thematic): Uses the race metaphor to describe escalating demands on the runner; parallels Jeremiah’s imagery of running with footmen yet facing a greater contest (horses) as a call to greater endurance and preparedness.
- Hebrews 12:1-3 (thematic): Calls believers to run the race with endurance and to persevere under trials; resonates with Jeremiah’s warning that untested peace does not prepare one for fiercer trials (the swelling of the Jordan).
- Jeremiah 12:1-4 (structural): Immediate context: Jeremiah’s complaint and God’s response frame 12:5; the verses together form a unit contrasting apparent prosperity/peace with coming trials and divine judgment.
- Joshua 3:15-17 (thematic): The crossing of the overflowing Jordan functions as an archetypal test of Israel’s faith and competence in crisis; thematically parallels Jeremiah’s image of the ‘swelling of the Jordan’ as a far harsher trial than life in a peaceful land.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you have run with footmen and they have wearied you, how will you contend with horses? And if in a land of peace, in which you trusted, they wear you out, how will you do in the swelling of the Jordan?
- If you have run with footmen and they have wearied you, how will you contend with horses? And if in a land of peace you put your trust, how will you stand in the swelling of the Jordan?
Jer.12.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- גם: ADV
- אחיך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ובית: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,cs
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- גם: ADV
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- בגדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- גם: ADV
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- קראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אחריך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m
- מלא: ADJ,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- תאמן: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- ידברו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- טובות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 41:9 (thematic): Betrayal by a close companion — a trusted associate lifts up his heel against the psalmist, echoing Jeremiah’s note that even kin have acted treacherously.
- Psalm 55:12-14 (thematic): Lament over betrayal by an intimate companion and equal with whom one shared counsel, paralleling Jeremiah’s complaint about brothers and household turning against him.
- Psalm 55:21 (verbal): Contrast between smooth, flattering speech and inner hostility (‘his talk was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart’) parallels Jeremiah’s warning not to trust those who speak kindly.
- Micah 7:5-6 (thematic): Instruction not to trust neighbors or close kin and depiction of family betrayal (sons against fathers, daughters against mothers) closely mirrors Jeremiah’s experience of familial treachery.
- Matthew 10:21-22 (allusion): Jesus’ prediction that brothers will betray brothers and family members will be adversaries echoes the motif of close kin turning against one another found in Jeremiah 12:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- For even your brothers, the house of your father, have dealt treacherously with you; they have called after you—do not trust them, for they will speak fair words to you.
- For even your brothers, the house of your father, have dealt treacherously with you; they have called after you—do not trust them—though they speak fair words to you.
Jer.12.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- עזבתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ביתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- נטשתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- נחלתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,NA,sg
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ידדות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- בכף: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,construct
- איביה: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
Parallels
- Hosea 11:8 (verbal): God expresses anguish over giving up Israel—'How can I give you up? How can I hand you over, O Israel?'—closely paralleling Jeremiah's language of having given the beloved into the hand of her enemies.
- Lamentations 1:5 (thematic): Describes Jerusalem's humiliation and the prosperity of her foes—'Her adversaries are the chief… her enemies prosper'—echoing the theme of the beloved being delivered into enemy hands.
- Psalm 44:11-12 (thematic): A communal lament that God has surrendered his people to their enemies—'You gave us up to the sword… You have made us a byword among the nations'—paralleling the sense of abandonment and defeat in Jeremiah 12:7.
- Micah 3:12 (structural): Pronounces judgment on Zion—'Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field'—a prophetic depiction of Jerusalem's devastation and handing over to enemies comparable to Jeremiah's image.
Alternative generated candidates
- I have forsaken my house; I have left my inheritance; I have given the beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
- I have abandoned my house, I have left my heritage; I have given the beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
Jer.12.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- נחלתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,NA,sg
- כאריה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נתנה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בקולה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3f-suff
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- שנאתיה: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg,obj=3f
Parallels
- Amos 3:8 (thematic): Uses the image of a lion’s roar as a prophetic sign; parallels Jeremiah’s ‘lion in the forest’ crying out—both evoke a threatening, accusatory voice associated with judgment.
- Hosea 5:14 (verbal): God likened to a lion that tears and departs; closely parallels the lion-imagery of possession/heritage becoming dangerous and destructive.
- Psalm 22:13 (verbal): Speaks of adversaries ‘like a ravening and roaring lion’—similar language of a lion threatening and opening its mouth against the psalmist, echoing Jeremiah’s persecuting ‘heritage.’
- Psalm 17:12 (verbal): Describes enemies ‘like a lion eager to tear’—verbal and thematic affinity with Jeremiah’s depiction of the heritage as a predatory lion.
- Zephaniah 3:3 (thematic): Portrays leaders/inhabitants metaphorically as roaring lions within the city; thematically connected in depicting internal threats and hostile forces using lion imagery.
Alternative generated candidates
- My inheritance to me has been like a lion in the forest; it has roared against me—therefore I hate it.
- My heritage has become to me like a lion in the forest; it has roared against me—therefore I hate it.
Jer.12.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- העיט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- צבוע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- נחלתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,NA,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- העיט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- סביב: ADV
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- לכו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- אספו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- כל: DET
- חית: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- התיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- לאכלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 9:11 (verbal): Uses the same image of the inheritance/city becoming a lair of jackals/hyenas — a closely related Jeremiah motif of desolation.
- Isaiah 34:11-15 (thematic): Prophetic description of a land laid waste and inhabited by wild animals and birds (including jackals/hyenas), paralleling the motif of ruins filled with scavengers.
- Ezekiel 39:17-20 (structural): God summons the birds and beasts to ‘gather’ and feed on the slain — language and action parallel the command in Jer 12:9 to assemble the creatures to devour.
- Deuteronomy 28:26 (allusion): Part of the covenant curses: corpses become food for birds of the air and beasts of the field — an earlier legal/theological precedent for the imagery of being prey.
- Psalm 79:2 (thematic): Speaks of the dead of God’s people being given to the birds for food, echoing the motif of desolation and scavenging birds over the ruined community.
Alternative generated candidates
- The vulture of the wilderness is my portion; he has made it his prey. He has flown upon it—go, assemble all the beasts of the field; bring them to devour.
- A marauding eagle has become my inheritance; a desert hawk has settled over it. Gather yourselves, all you beasts of the field; come to devour!
Jer.12.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- רעים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- שחתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כרמי: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בססו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- חלקתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- נתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- חלקת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- חמדתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- למדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שממה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 5:1-7 (verbal): The 'Song of the Vineyard' uses the vineyard image for Israel—God's vineyard/portion expected fruit but is found ruined, echoing Jeremiah's language of a spoiled/ desolate vineyard.
- Psalm 80:8-13 (verbal): Speaks of the vine brought out of Egypt that was planted but later broken down and devoured—similar imagery of God's vine/portion being laid waste.
- Ezekiel 34:2-6 (allusion): Condemns bad shepherds who scatter and devour the flock; parallels Jeremiah's charge that 'many shepherds have destroyed' God's portion—leaders harming God's people.
- Matthew 21:33-41 (thematic): The parable of the wicked tenants (who mistreat and kill the owner's servants) reworks vineyard imagery to accuse Israel's leaders of destructive stewardship, echoing Jeremiah's critique.
Alternative generated candidates
- Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard; they have trodden down my portion; they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
- Many shepherds have ruined my vineyard; they have trampled down my portion; they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Jer.12.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שמה: ADV
- לשממה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אבלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- שממה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נשמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- אין: PART,neg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- על: PREP
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 24:4-6 (thematic): Earth mourns and withers; the land languishes because of the people's transgression — similar imagery of the whole land made desolate as a result of sin.
- Hosea 4:6 (allusion): 'My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge' — links the people's failure to take things to heart with communal devastation (lack of care/attention causing ruin).
- Psalm 107:34 (verbal): God 'turns a fruitful land into barrenness' because of the wickedness of its inhabitants, echoing the motif of a land made desolate on account of human sin.
- Lamentations 1:4 (structural): Urban and national desolation language (gates/deserted city, people mourning) within the Jeremiah/Lament tradition echoes the verse's lament over a desolate land.
- Jeremiah 12:4 (structural): Within the same book: an immediate parallel question about how long the land shall mourn—reiterates the theme of national desolation and divine concern over neglect.
Alternative generated candidates
- It lies desolate—desolation lies upon desolation; the whole land breathes a lament, for no one takes it to heart.
- It is made a desolation, laid waste; all who pass by are appalled— the whole land mourns, for no one considers it to heart.
Jer.12.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- שפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שדדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אכלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מקצה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- קצה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אין: PART,neg
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכל: PREP
- בשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 48:22 (verbal): Uses the same succinct oracle 'There is no peace' (אין שלום) about the wicked/land—direct verbal parallel in judgment language.
- Isaiah 57:20-21 (thematic): Speaks of the wicked as restless and without peace; connects the theme of universal unrest and absence of peace that accompanies divine judgment.
- Ezekiel 7:26-27 (thematic): Announces sudden disaster and desolation across the land and emphasizes that people will seek peace in vain—parallel depiction of nationwide devastation and lack of peace.
- Jeremiah 4:23-26 (structural): Jeremiah’s own earlier vision of the land ‘without form and void’ and depopulated wilderness mirrors the motif of ruined places and continental desolation in 12:12.
- Zephaniah 1:2-3 (thematic): Declares that the Lord will sweep away everything from the face of the earth; parallels the image of divine destruction/devouring of the land and the ensuing universal calamity.
Alternative generated candidates
- On all the heights in the wilderness the marauders have come; for the sword of the LORD shall devour from end to end of the land; there is no peace for any flesh.
- Against all the cities in the open country the destroyer has come; for the sword of the LORD devours from end to end—there is no peace to any flesh.
Jer.12.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- זרעו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- חטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וקצים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- קצרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- נחלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- יועלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ובשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מתבואתיכם: NOUN,f,sg,cons+2mp
- מחרון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אף: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Hosea 8:7 (verbal): The proverb-like image 'they sow the wind and reap the whirlwind' expresses the same idea of futile or disastrous returns for what is sown, echoing Jeremiah's 'sowed wheat and reaped thorns.'
- Micah 6:15 (verbal): 'You will sow but not reap' (and related lines) parallels Jeremiah's motif of a failed or worthless harvest as divine judgment on the people's labor.
- Hosea 10:13 (verbal): 'You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity' links the moral cause-and-effect of sowing and reaping with a harvest that yields punishment rather than profit, similar to Jeremiah 12:13.
- Galatians 6:7 (thematic): The New Testament principle 'whatever one sows, that will he also reap' reflects the same moral/causal logic of sowing and harvest underlying Jeremiah's oracle of unprofitable produce as judgment.
- Isaiah 5:1–7 (thematic): The Song of the Vineyard—God's cultivated plot yielding wild or sour fruit—parallels Jeremiah's theme of expected produce turning out worthless under God's displeasure and resulting judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- They sow wheat and reap thorns; their harvest will not profit them. Ashamed shall be your harvests because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
- They sow wheat and reap thorns; they wear themselves out and gain nothing. Shame shall be on your harvests because of the anger of the LORD.
Jer.12.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- שכני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- הרעים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- הנגעים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- בנחלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הנחלתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- נתשם: VERB,niphal,fut,1,_,sg
- מעל: PREP
- אדמתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אתוש: VERB,qal,fut,1,_,sg
- מתוכם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Zechariah 2:8 (verbal): Uses the image of 'touching' God's people ("whoever touches you, touches the apple of his eye") — parallels Jeremiah's condemnation of those who 'touch' Israel's allotted inheritance and evokes divine protection/response.
- Amos 1:3–2:3 (thematic): Series of oracles against Israel's neighboring nations for offenses (including aggression against Israel); thematically parallels Jeremiah's judgment on 'evil neighbors' who encroach on Israel's land.
- Obadiah 1:10–14 (thematic): Pronounces judgment on Edom for violence against 'his brother' Jacob and profiting from Israel's downfall — closely parallels the theme of retribution against neighbors who wrong Israel.
- Ezekiel 36:5–7 (allusion): God declares he will act against the nations that plundered his inheritance and scatter his people; echoes Jeremiah's promise to uproot those who touch Israel's allotted land and vindicate God's possession.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus says the LORD concerning all the wicked neighbors who touch the inheritance that I gave to my people Israel: Behold, I will uproot them from their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them.
- Thus says the LORD: Concerning all the evil neighbors who touch the inheritance that I have given my people Israel—behold, I will pluck them up out of their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from among them.
Jer.12.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- נתשי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- אשוב: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- ורחמתים: CONJ+VERB,qal,imperfect,1,_,sg
- והשבתים: CONJ+VERB,hiphil,imperfect,1,_,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לנחלתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons+3,m
- ואיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לארצו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- Ezekiel 36:24 (verbal): God promises to gather Israel from the nations and 'bring you into your own land'—language closely echoes Jeremiah's 'bring them again... to their land/heritage.'
- Amos 9:14 (verbal): A promise to restore the fortunes of Israel, bring back the exiles and cause them to possess the land—parallels the return and resettlement motif.
- Jeremiah 30:3 (thematic): Earlier Jeremianic promise that 'I will bring back the captivity of my people Israel'—shares the core theme of restoration after exile.
- Hosea 3:5 (allusion): Forecast that 'afterward' Israel will return and seek the LORD—echoes the sequence in Jeremiah 12:15 of judgment/uprooting followed by compassion and return.
- Jeremiah 31:7-8 (verbal): Imagery of bringing the remnant back from the lands and restoring them to their own soil—close verbal and thematic parallel within Jeremiah's restoration promises.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall come to pass, after I have uprooted them, that I will return and have compassion on them, and will bring them back—each to his heritage and each to his land.
- And it shall come to pass, after I have plucked them up, that I will return and have compassion on them, and will bring back each one to his heritage and each one to his land.
Jer.12.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אם: CONJ
- למד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ילמדו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- דרכי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,_,sg
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- להשבע: VERB,qal,inf
- בשמי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,poss1s
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- למדו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- להשבע: VERB,qal,inf
- בבעל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונבנו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- בתוך: PREP
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 6:13 (verbal): Commands exclusive service to the LORD and to ‘swear by his name’ — echoes Jeremiah’s call that nations should learn to swear ‘As the LORD lives’ rather than by Baal.
- Judges 2:11-13 (thematic): Describes Israel’s apostasy and turning to Baal and other gods (teaching the people to serve false gods), paralleling Jeremiah’s charge that people had learned to swear by Baal.
- 1 Kings 18:26-29 (allusion): The prophets of Baal call upon Baal and fail to elicit a response — a concentrated example of popular appeals/ oaths to Baal that Jeremiah condemns and wants replaced by oaths to Yahweh.
- Ezekiel 20:39 (thematic): Promises restoration and acceptance if the people turn from their idols and walk in God’s ways — similar conditional motif to Jeremiah’s promise to ‘build them up’ if they learn to swear by the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- If they learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As the LORD lives’—as they taught my people to swear by Baal—then they shall be built up among my people.
- And it shall be, if they learn the ways of my people to swear by my name, 'As the LORD lives'—as they taught my people to swear by Baal—then they shall be built up in the midst of my people.
Jer.12.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- ישמעו: VERB,qal,imf,3,mp
- ונתשתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הגוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- נתוש: ADJ,nip,ptc,m,sg,abs
- ואבד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,conj-w
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 12:14-16 (structural): Immediate context: the same warning that if the people (or nations) do not heed God’s call, He will uproot and destroy the nation; parallels wording and threat of removal.
- Deuteronomy 28:63-64 (thematic): Part of the covenant curses: if Israel disobeys, the LORD will rejoice to make them perish, scatter them among the nations and uproot them from the land—same covenantal logic of uprooting for disobedience.
- Leviticus 26:33 (verbal): Covenantal promise of judgment language—God will scatter Israel among the nations and make the land desolate—parallels the motif of uprooting and destruction as punishment.
- Isaiah 1:20 (thematic): A conditional formula linking obedience to well-being and disobedience to destruction—'if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword' echoes Jeremiah’s threat of uprooting if they will not listen.
- Jeremiah 25:9-11 (allusion): God’s declaration that He will summon foreign nations (e.g., Babylon) to punish and dispossess the land’s peoples—illustrates the mechanism by which God uproots and destroys disobedient nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if they will not obey, then I will utterly pluck up that nation; I will destroy it, says the LORD.
- But if they will not listen, I will uproot that nation; I will utterly destroy it—declares the LORD.
If you have run with footmen and they have wearied you, how will you contend with horses? And if, in a land of peace, you have trusted, how will you do in the swelling of the Jordan?
For even your brothers, yes—the house of your father—have dealt treacherously with you; they call after you. Do not trust them, though they speak to you smooth words.
I have forsaken my house, I have left my heritage; I have given the treasured of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
My heritage has become to me like a lion in the forest; it cries out against me with its voice—therefore I hate it.
A vulture is my heritage; an eagle circles over it. Go, gather all the beasts of the field; let them come to devour.
Many shepherds have ruined my vineyard; they have trampled down my portion; they have made my delightful portion a desolate wilderness.
It lies waste, a desolation—over me the desolation; the whole land mourns, for there is no one who takes it to heart.
Marauders have come upon all the settlements in the wilderness, for the sword of the LORD devours from one end of the land to the other; there is no peace for any living thing.
They sowed wheat and have reaped thorns; they have labored for nothing—shame on your harvests because of the fierce anger of the LORD. Thus says the LORD: Concerning all the wicked neighbors who touch the inheritance that I gave to my people Israel, behold—I will pluck them up from their land, and I will uproot Judah from among them. And it shall be, after I uproot them, that I will return and have compassion on them, and restore them—each to his own inheritance and each to his own land. And it shall be, if they learn my people's ways and swear by my name, 'As the LORD lives'—even as they taught my people to swear by Baal—then they shall be established among my people. But if they will not obey, I will utterly uproot that nation; I will uproot and destroy it, says the LORD.