Tree of Life Version
Jeremiah 12:1
1Righteous are You, Adonai, when I plead my case with You. Yet I speak with You about justice. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the treacherous thrive?
Jeremiah 12:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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?
- New International Version (NIV)You are always righteous, Lord, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
- English Standard Version (ESV)Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
- New King James Version (NKJV)Righteous are You, O Lord, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?
Context of Jeremiah 12:1
Righteous are You, Adonai, when I plead my case with You. Yet I speak with You about justice. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the treacherous thrive? 2You planted them, so they have taken root. They are growing, bearing fruit. You are near in their mouth, yet far from their mind. 3But You have known me, Adonai. You see me, and examine my heart toward You. Drag them off like sheep for slaughter. Set them apart for the day of carnage.
Read all of Jeremiah 12Jeremiah 12:1 word by word
צַדִּ֤יק אַתָּה֙ יְהוָ֔ה כִּ֥י אָרִ֖יב אֵלֶ֑יךָ אַ֤ךְ מִשְׁפָּטִים֙ אֲדַבֵּ֣ר אוֹתָ֔ךְ מַדּ֗וּעַ דֶּ֤רֶךְ רְשָׁעִים֙ צָלֵ֔חָה שָׁל֖וּ כָּל־בֹּ֥גְדֵי בָֽגֶד׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Righteousצַדִּיקtsaddîyq · righteousH6662
- thou, O Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- when I pleadרִיבrîyb rûb · to contendH7378
- with thee: yet let me talkדָבַרdâbar · to speak: speakH1696
- judgmentsמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justice: judgementH4941
- Wherefore doth the wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: journeyH1870
- of the wickedרָשָׁעrâshâ‛ · wickedH7563
- prosperצָלֵחַtsâlach tsâlêach · to prosperH6743
- are all they happyשָׁלָהshâlâh shâlav · to prosperH7951
- that deal veryבֶּ֫גֶדbeged · treacheryH899
- treacherouslyבָּגַדbâgad · to act treacherouslyH898
Cross-references for Jeremiah 12:1
- Jeremiah 11:20But Adonai-Tzva’ot, who judges righteously, who tests the mind and the heart, let me see your vengeance on them. For to You I have made my cause known.
- Genesis 18:25Far be it from You to do such a thing—to cause the righteous to die with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked share the same fate! Far be it from You! Shall the Judge of the whole world not exercise justice?”
- Deuteronomy 32:4The Rock—blameless is His work. Indeed, all His ways are just. God of faithfulness without iniquity, righteous and upright is He.
- Psalms 51:4Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
- Psalms 119:75I know, Adonai, Your judgments are just. In faithfulness You have afflicted me.
- Psalms 145:17Adonai is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.
- Daniel 9:7“‘You Lord are righteousness, but shame covers our face to this day—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, near and far, in all the countries where you have banished them—because they behaved unfaithfully toward you.
- Habakkuk 1:13With eyes too pure to see evil You cannot look at such trouble! Why do You look at the treacherous? Why do You remain silent when a wicked one swallows up those more righteous than him?
- Zephaniah 3:5Adonai is righteous in her midst. He will do no injustice. Morning by morning He brings His justice to light. He does not fail. Yet the unjust knows no shame.
- Romans 3:5But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? God is not unrighteous to inflict wrath, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.)
- Job 13:3Still, I desire to speak to Shaddai and to argue my case with God.
- Isaiah 41:21“Present your case,” says Adonai. “Bring forth your reasons,” says the King of Jacob.
- Jeremiah 5:28They grew fat and sleek. They also overlooked evil deeds. They do not uphold a cause— the cause of an orphan to prosper— nor do they defend the right of the poor.
- Job 12:6The tents of marauders prosper, and there is security for those who provoke God— for those whom God brings in His hand.
- Job 21:7Why do the wicked go on living, growing old and increasing in power?
- Psalms 37:1Of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of them who do wrong.
Commentaries on Jeremiah 12:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Righteous 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Yet let me talk - Rather, yet will I speak with thee on a matter of right. This sense is well given in the margin. The prophet acknowledges the general righteousness of God‘s dealings, but cannot reconcile with it the properity of the conspirators of Anathoth This difficulty was often present to the minds of the saints of the Old Testament, see Job 21:7 ff; Psalm 37; Psalm 73. Happy - Rather, secure, tranquil.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Jeremiah complains of the prosperity of the wicked. (Jr 12:1-6) The heavy judgments to come upon the nation. (Jr 12:7-13) Divine mercy to them, and even to the nations around. (Jr 12:14-17) Verses 1-6 When we are most in the dark concerning God's dispensations, we must keep up right thoughts of God, believing that he never did the least wrong to any of his creatures. When we find it hard to understand any of his dealings with us, or others, we must look…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1Jeremiah agreed that the Lord was fair in past dealings with him. However, he was confused about why his life was in danger, despite his obedience. Meanwhile, wicked and evil people seemed to be prosperous and happy.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-17He 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…Read the comment
Topics related to Jeremiah 12:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Jeremiah 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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