Jeremiah 17:9-13

9The human mind is more deceitful than anything else. It is incurably bad. Who can understand it?

10I, the Lord, probe into people’s minds. I examine people’s hearts. I deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done.

11The person who gathers wealth by unjust means is like the partridge that broods over eggs but does not hatch them. Before his life is half over he will lose his ill-gotten gains. At the end of his life it will be clear he was a fool.”

12Then I said, “Lord, from the very beginning you have been seated on your glorious throne on high. You are the place where we can find refuge.

13You are the one in whom Israel may find hope. All who leave you will suffer shame. Those who turn away from you will be consigned to the nether world. For they have rejected you, the Lord, the fountain of life.