Jeremiah 12:1-6

11Righteous are You, O Lord, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would 2discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the 3way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who 4deal in treachery at ease?2You have 5planted them, they have also taken root; They grow, they have even produced fruit. You are 6near 7to their lips But far from their 8mind.3But You 9know me, O Lord; You see me; And You 10examine my heart’s attitude toward You. Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter And 11set them apart for a 12day of carnage!4How long is the 13land to mourn And the 14vegetation of the countryside to wither? For the 15wickedness of those who dwell in it, 16Animals and birds have been snatched away, Because men have said, “He will not see our latter 17ending.”

5“If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, Then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, How will you do in the 1819thicket of the Jordan?6For even your 20brothers and the household of your father, Even they have dealt treacherously with you, Even they have cried aloud after you. Do not believe them, although they may say 21nice things to you.”