The Prosperity of the Wicked
Jeremiah 12
Jeremiah asks the Lord why the way of the wicked prospers while the land mourns for the sins of its people, and the Lord answers that he has forsaken his own inheritance and given his beloved into the hands of enemies because of the many shepherds who have ruined his vineyard. The Lord promises that after uprooting the surrounding nations he will have mercy and restore any that learn to swear by his name instead of Baal.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson(p) RIGHTEOUS as thou art, O Lord, can I defend a cause against Thee? but let me speak to Thee in respect to judgments. Why is the way of wicked men prosperous? why are they happy who have been all guilty of perfidy?
BrentonRighteous art thou, O Lord, that I may make my defence to thee, yea, I will speak to thee of judgments. Why is it that the way of ungodly men prospers? that all that deal very treacherously are flourishing?
GreekΔίκαιος εἶ Κύριε, ὅτι ἀπολογήσομαι πρὸς σέ· πλὴν κρίματα λαλήσω πρὸς σέ· τί ὅτι ὁδὸς ἀσεβῶν εὐοδοῦται; εὐθήνησαν πάντες οἱ ἀθετοῦντες ἀθετήματα;
KJVRighteous 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?
JPSRight wouldest Thou be, O LORD, were I to contend with Thee, yet will I reason with Thee: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they secure that deal very treacherously?
2
ThomsonThou hast planted them and they have taken root, they have generated and produced fruit. Thou art near in their mouth, but far from their reins.
BrentonThou hast planted them, and they have taken root; they have begotten children, and become fruitful; thou art near to their mouth, and far from their reins.
GreekἘφύτευσας αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐῤῥιζώθησαν· ἐτεκνοποιήσαντο, καὶ ἐποίησαν καρπόν· ἐγγὺς εἶ σὺ τοῦ στόματος αὐτῶν, καὶ πόῤῥω ἀπὸ τῶν νεφρῶν αὐτῶν.
KJVThou 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.
JPSThou 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.
3
ThomsonBut thou, O Lord, knowest me. Thou hast tried my heart before Thee. Prepare them for the day of their slaughter.
BrentonBut thou, Lord, knowest me; thou hast proved my heart before thee; purify them for the day of their slaughter.
GreekΚαὶ σύ Κύριε γινώσκεις με, δεδοκίμακας τὴν καρδίαν μου ἐναντίον σου· ἅγνισον αὐτοὺς εἰς ἡμέραν σφαγῆς αὐτῶν.
KJVBut thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
JPSBut Thou, O LORD, knowest me, Thou seest me, and triest my heart toward Thee; pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
4
ThomsonHow long shall the land mourn, and all the grass of the field be withered, for the wickedness of them who dwell therein? The cattle and fowls are vanished; because they said, God will not regard our ways.
BrentonHow long shall the land mourn, and the grass of the field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell in it? the beasts and birds are utterly destroyed; because the people said, God shall not see our ways.
GreekἝως πότε πενθήσει ἡ γῆ, καὶ πᾶς ὁ χόρτος τοῦ ἀγροῦ ξηρανθήσεται ἀπὸ κακίας τῶν κατοικούντων ἐν αὐτῆ; ἠφανίσθησαν κτήνη καὶ πετεινὰ, ὅτι εἶπαν, οὐκ ὄψεται ὁ Θεὸς ὁδοὺς ἡμῶν.
KJVHow long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.
JPSHow long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole field wither? For the wickedness of them that dwell therein, the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said: ‘He seeth not our end.’
5
Thomson(J) Thy feet run and fail thee: what preparation canst thou make for horses? In thy land of peace hast thou been secure? how wilt thou act at the swelling of Jordan?
BrentonThy feet run, and they cause thee to faint; how wilt thou prepare to ride upon horses? and thou hast been confident in the land of thy peace? how wilt thou do in the roaring of Jordan?
GreekΣοῦ οἱ πόδες τρέχουσι, καὶ ἐκλύουσί σε· πῶς παρασκευάσῃ ἐφʼ ἵπποις; καὶ ἐν γῇ εἰρήνης σου πέποιθας· πῶς ποιήσεις ἐν φρυάγματι τοῦ Ἰορδάνου;
KJVIf thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?
JPS’If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? And though in a land of peace thou art secure, yet how wilt thou do in the thickets of the Jordan?
6
Thomsonsince even thy brethren and the house of thy father have dealt perfidiously with thee; when they have raised the cry of war—have assembled in pursuit of thee, wilt thou trust them, because they speak thee fair?
BrentonFor even thy brethren and the house of thy father, even these have dealt treacherously with thee; and they have cried out, they are gathered together in pursuit of thee; trust not thou in them, though they shall speak fair words to thee.
GreekὍτι καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί σου καὶ ὁ οἶκος τοῦ πατρός σου, καὶ οὗτοι ἠθέτησάν σε, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐβόησαν, ἐκ τῶν ὀπίσω σου ἐπισυνήχθησαν· μὴ πιστεύσῃς ἐν αὐτοῖς, ὅτι λαλήσουσι πρὸς σὲ καλά.
KJVFor even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.
JPSFor even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee, even they have cried aloud after thee; believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.’
7
ThomsonI have forsaken My house, I have abandoned My heritage, I have given the beloved of My soul into the hands of her enemies.
BrentonI have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given my beloved one into the hands of her enemies.
GreekἘγκαταλέλοιπα τὸν οἶκόν μου, ἀφῆκα τὴν κληρονομίαν μου, ἔδωκα τὴν ἠγαπημένην ψυχήν μου εἰς χεῖρας ἐχθρῶν αὐτῆς.
KJVI have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
JPSI have forsaken My house, I have cast off My heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of My soul Into the hand of her enemies.
8
ThomsonMy heritage became to Me like a lion in a forest; against Me it roared; therefore I hated it.
BrentonMy inheritance has become to me as a lion in a forest; she has uttered her voice against me; therefore have I hated her.
GreekἘγενήθη ἡ κληρονομία μου ἐμοὶ ὡς λέων ἐν δρυμῷ, ἔδωκεν ἐπʼ ἐμὲ τὴν φωνὴν αὐτῆς, διατοῦτο ἐμίσησα αὐτήν.
KJVMine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.
JPSMy heritage is become unto Me As a lion in the forest; She hath uttered her voice against Me; Therefore have I hated her.
9
ThomsonIs not this heritage of Mine the den of a hyena? to Me indeed it is the den around her. Go, collect all the beasts of the field and let them come and devour it.
BrentonIs not my inheritance to me a hyæna's cave, or a cave round about her? Go ye, gather together all the wild beasts of the field, and let them come to devour her.
GreekΜὴ σπήλαιον ὑαίνης ἡ κληρονομία μου ἐμοὶ, ἢ σπήλαιον κύκλῳ αὐτῆς; βαδίσατε, συναγάγετε πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ ἀγροῦ, καὶ ἐλθέτωσαν τοῦ φαγεῖν αὐτήν.
KJVMine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.
JPSIs My heritage unto Me as a speckled bird of prey? Are the birds of prey against her round about? Come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, Bring them to devour.
10
ThomsonMany shepherds have destroyed My vineyard, they have defiled My portion, they have made My beloved portion a trackless desert:
BrentonMany shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have defiled my portion, they have made my desirable portion a trackless wilderness;
GreekΠοιμένες πολλοὶ διέφθειραν τὸν ἀμπελῶνά μου, ἐμόλυναν τὴν μερίδα μου, ἔδωκαν τὴν μερίδα τὴν ἐπιθυμητήν μου εἰς ἔρημον ἄβατον,
KJVMany pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
JPSMany shepherds have destroyed My vineyard, They have trodden My portion under foot, They have made My pleasant portion A desolate wilderness.
11
Thomsonit is given up to total destruction. On My account the whole land is utterly desolated. Because there is not a man who layeth this [My word] to heart,
Brentonit is made a complete ruin: for my sake the whole land has been utterly ruined, because there is none that lays the matter to heart.
Greekἐτέθη εἰς ἀφανισμὸν ἀπωλείας· διʼ ἐμὲ ἀφανισμῷ ἠφανίσθη πᾶσα ἡ γῆ, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἀνὴρ τιθέμενος ἐν καρδίᾳ.
KJVThey have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.
JPSThey have made it a desolation, It mourneth unto Me, being desolate; The whole land is made desolate, Because no man layeth it to heart.
12
Thomsonagainst every outlet by the wilderness destroyers are come; because the sword of the Lord devoureth from one end of the land to the other, there is no peace for any flesh.
BrentonThe ravagers are come to every passage in the wilderness: for the sword of the Lord will devour from one end of the land to the other: no flesh has any peace.
GreekἘπὶ πᾶσαν διεκβολὴν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἦλθον ταλαιπωροῦντες, ὅτι μάχαιρα τοῦ Κυρίου καταφάγεται ἀπʼ ἄκρου τῆς γῆς ἕως ἄκρου τῆς γῆς· οὐκ ἔστιν εἰρήνη πάσῃ σαρκί.
KJVThe spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.
JPSUpon all the high hills in the wilderness spoilers are come; for the sword of the LORD devoureth from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land, no flesh hath peace.
13
ThomsonSow wheat and reap brambles. Their portions shall not profit them. Be ashamed of your boasting, of reproaches against the Lord.
BrentonSow wheat, and reap thorns; their portions shall not profit them: be ashamed of your boasting, because of reproach before the Lord.
GreekΣπείρατε πυροὺς, καὶ ἀκάνθας θερίζετε· οἱ κλῆροι αὐτῶν οὐκ ὠφελήσουσιν αὐτούς· αἰσχύνθητε ἀπὸ καυχήσεως ὑμῶν, ἀπὸ ὀνειδισμοῦ ἔναντι Κυρίου.
KJVThey have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
JPSThey have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, they profit not; be ye then ashamed of your increase, because of the fierce anger of the LORD. .
14
ThomsonFor thus saith the Lord: Respecting all those malignant neighbours, who touch My inheritance which I parcelled out to My people Israel: behold I am about to pluck them out of their land, and I will drive out Juda from among them,
BrentonFor thus saith the Lord concerning all the evil neighbours that touch mine inheritance, which I have divided to my people Israel; Behold, I will draw them away from their land, and I will cast out Juda from the midst of them.
GreekὍτι τάδε λέγει Κύριος περὶ πάντων τῶν γειτόνων τῶν πονηρῶν, τῶν ἁπτομένων τῆς κληρονομίας μου, ἧς ἐμέρισα τῷ λαῷ μου Ἰσραὴλ, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποσπῶ αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς αὐτῶν, καὶ τὸν Ἰούδαν ἐκβαλῶ ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν.
KJVThus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.
JPSThus saith the LORD: As for all Mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused My people Israel to inherit, behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them.
15
Thomsonbut after I have driven them out, I will return and have compassion on them, and settle them each one in his inheritance even every one in his own land.
BrentonAnd it shall come to pass, after I have cast them out, that I will return, and have mercy upon them, and will cause them to dwell every one in his inheritance, and every one in his land.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται μετὰ τὸ ἐκβαλεῖν με αὐτοὺς, ἐπιστρέψω καὶ ἐλεήσω αὐτοὺς, καὶ κατοικιῶ αὐτοὺς, ἕκαστον εἰς τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἕκαστον εἰς τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.
JPSAnd it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them; and I will bring them back, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.
16
ThomsonAnd it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the way of My people to swear by My name: As the Lord liveth, as they taught My people to swear by Baal; they shall be established among My people:
BrentonAnd it shall be, if they will indeed learn the way of my people, to swear by my name, saying, The Lord lives; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall that nation be built in the midst of my people.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ἐὰν μαθόντες μάθωσι τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ λαοῦ μου, τοῦ ὀμνύειν τῷ ὀνόματί μου, ζῇ Κύριος, καθὼς ἐδίδαξαν τὸν λαόν μου ὀμνύειν τῇ Βάαλ, καὶ οἰκοδομηθήσεται ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ λαοῦ μου.
KJVAnd it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.
JPSAnd it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of My people to swear by My name: 'As the LORD liveth,' even as they taught My people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built up in the midst of My people.
17
Thomsonbut if they will not return; I will assuredly root out that nation with ruin and destruction.
BrentonBut if they will not return, then will I cut off that nation with utter ruin and destruction.
GreekἘὰν δὲ μὴ ἐπιστρέψωσι, καὶ ἐξαρῶ τὸ ἔθνος ἐκεῖνο ἐξάρσει καὶ ἀπωλείᾳ.
KJV—
JPS—