Jeremiah 12:1
Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?
Jeremiah 12:1 in other translations
| BSB | Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? |
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| WEB | You are righteous, LORD, when I contend with you; yet I would like to plead a case with you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are they all at ease who deal very treacherously? |
| ASV | Righteous art thou, O Jehovah, when I contend with thee; yet would I reason the cause with thee: wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they at ease that deal very treacherously? |
| YLT | Righteous art Thou, O Jehovah, When I plead towards thee, Only, judgments do I speak with Thee, Wherefore did the way of the wicked prosper? At rest have been all treacherous dealers. |
| DARBY | Righteous art thou, Jehovah, when I plead with thee; yet will I speak with thee of thy judgments. Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they at ease that deal very treacherously? |
| BBE | You are in the right, O Lord, when I put my cause before you: still let me take up with you the question of your decisions: why does the evil-doer do well? why are the workers of deceit living in comfort? |
| Webster | Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me speak with thee of thy judgments: Why doth the way of the wicked prosper? why are they all happy that deal very treacherously? |
What does Jeremiah 12:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Jr 12:1-17. Continuation of the Subject at the Close of the Eleventh Chapter.
He ventures to expostulate with Jehovah as to the prosperity of the wicked, who had plotted against his life (Jr 12:1-4); in reply he is told that he will have worse to endure, and that from his own relatives (Jr 12:5, 6). The heaviest judgments, however, would be inflicted on the faithless people (Jr 12:7-13); and then on the nations co-operating with the Chaldeans against Judah, with, however, a promise of mercy on repentance (Jr 12:14-17). 1. (Psa 51:4). let me talk, &c.--only let me reason the case with Thee: inquire of Thee the causes why such wicked men as these plotters against my life prosper (compare Job 12:6; 21:7; Psa 37:1, 35; 73:3; Mal 3:15). It is right, when hard thoughts of God's providence suggest themselves, to fortify our minds by justifying God beforehand (as did Jeremiah), even before we hear the reasons of His dealings.Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
This chapter is connected with the foregoing. The prophet expostulates with God concerning the ways of Providence in permitting the wicked to prosper, Jer 12:1-4. It is intimated to him that he must endure still greater trials, Jer 12:5, from his false and deceitful brethren, Jer 12:6; but that still heavier judgments awaited the nation for their crimes, Jer 12:7-13. That God, however, would at length have compassion on them; restore them to their land; and turn his judgments against those that oppressed them, if not prevented by their becoming converts to the true religion, Jer 12:14-17. Verse 1 Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee - The prophet was grieved at the prosperity of the wicked; and he wonders how, consistently with God's righteousness, vice should often be in affluence, and piety in suffering and poverty. He knows that God is righteous, that every thing is done well; but he wishes to inquire how these apparently unequal and undeserved lots take place. On this subject he wishes to reason with God, that he may receive instruction.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Jeremiah 12:1-6
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Jeremiah 12:1 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Jeremiah 12:1
- Malachi 3:15
And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
- Psalms 92:7
When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:
- Psalms 37:1
A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
- Psalms 73:3-28
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. …
- Psalms 37:35
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
- Psalms 51:4
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
- Psalms 94:3-4
Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
- Daniel 9:7
O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.
- Zephaniah 3:5
The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
- Habakkuk 1:4
Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
- Job 21:7-15
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. …
- Job 12:6
The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5 God admonishes him of his brethren's treachery against him;
7 and laments his heritage.
14 He promises to the penitent return from captivity.
Righteous.
11:20; Ge 18:25; De 32:4; Ps 51:4; 119:75,137; 145:17; Da 9:7
Hab 1:13-17; Zep 3:5; Ro 3:5,6
talk. or, reason the case.
Job 13:3; Isa 41:21
Wherefore doth.
5:28; Job 12:6; 21:7-15; Ps 37:1,35; 73:3-28; 92:7; 94:3,4; Pr 1:32
Hab 1:4; Mal 3:15
deal.
6; 5:11; Isa 48:8; Ho 6:7
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Jeremiah 12:1
Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?
- Jeremiah 12:2
Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.
Jeremiah 12:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | JUSTO eres tú, oh Jehová, aunque yo contigo dispute: hablaré empero juicios contigo. ¿Por qué es prosperado el camino de los impíos, y tienen bien todos los que se portan deslealmente? |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Éternel! tu es juste quand je conteste avec toi; toutefois je parlerai avec toi de tes jugements. Pourquoi la voie des méchants est-elle prospère? Pourquoi ceux qui agissent très perfidement sont-ils en paix? |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Du bist gerecht, Jehova, wenn ich mit dir hadere; doch von deinen Urteilen möchte ich mit dir reden: Warum ist der Weg der Gesetzlosen glücklich, sind sicher alle, die Treulosigkeit üben? |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Justus quidem tu es, Domine, si disputem tecum: verumtamen justa loquar ad te: Quare via impiorum prosperatur; bene est omnibus qui prævaricantur et inique agunt? |