Jeremiah 5 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Justice of God’s Judgment

5 “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem;
See now and know;
And seek in her open places
(A)If you can find a man,
(B)If there is anyone who executes [a]judgment,
Who seeks the truth,
(C)And I will pardon her.
2 (D)Though they say, ‘As (E)the Lord lives,’
Surely they (F)swear falsely.”

3 O Lord, are not (G)Your eyes on the truth?
You have (H)stricken them,
But they have not grieved;
You have consumed them,
But (I)they have refused to receive correction.
They have made their faces harder than rock;
They have refused to return.

4 Therefore I said, “Surely these are poor.
They are foolish;
For (J)they do not know the way of the Lord,
The judgment of their God.
5 I will go to the great men and speak to them,
For (K)they have known the way of the Lord,
The judgment of their God.”

But these have altogether (L)broken the yoke
And burst the bonds.
6 Therefore (M)a lion from the forest shall slay them,
(N)A wolf of the deserts shall destroy them;
(O)A leopard will watch over their cities.
Everyone who goes out from there shall be torn in pieces,
Because their transgressions are many;
Their backslidings have increased.

7 “How shall I pardon you for this?
Your children have forsaken Me
And (P)sworn by those (Q)that are not gods.
(R)When I had fed them to the full,
Then they committed adultery
And assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses.
8 (S)They were like well-fed lusty stallions;
Every one neighed after his neighbor’s wife.
9 Shall I not punish them for these things?” says the Lord.
“And shall I not (T)avenge Myself on such a nation as this?

10 “Go up on her walls and destroy,
But do not [b]make a (U)complete end.
Take away her branches,
For they are not the Lord’s.
11 For (V)the house of Israel and the house of Judah
Have dealt very treacherously with Me,” says the Lord.

12 (W)They have lied about the Lord,
And said, (X)“It is not He.
(Y)Neither will [c]evil come upon us,
Nor shall we see sword or famine.
13 And the prophets become wind,
For the word is not in them.
Thus shall it be done to them.”

14 Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts:

“Because you speak this word,
(Z)Behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire,
And this people wood,
And it shall devour them.
15 Behold, I will bring a (AA)nation against you (AB)from afar,
O house of Israel,” says the Lord.
“It is a mighty nation,
It is an ancient nation,
A nation whose language you do not know,
Nor can you understand what they say.
16 Their quiver is like an open tomb;
They are all mighty men.
17 And they shall eat up your (AC)harvest and your bread,
Which your sons and daughters should eat.
They shall eat up your flocks and your herds;
They shall eat up your vines and your fig trees;
They shall destroy your fortified cities,
In which you trust, with the sword.

18 “Nevertheless in those days,” says the Lord, “I (AD)will not [d]make a complete end of you. 19 And it will be when you say, (AE)‘Why does the Lord our God do all these things to us?’ then you shall answer them, ‘Just as you have (AF)forsaken Me and served foreign gods in your land, so (AG)you shall serve aliens in a land that is not yours.’

20 “Declare this in the house of Jacob
And proclaim it in Judah, saying,
21 ‘Hear this now, O (AH)foolish people,
Without [e]understanding,
Who have eyes and see not,
And who have ears and hear not:
22 (AI)Do you not fear Me?’ says the Lord.
‘Will you not tremble at My presence,
Who have placed the sand as the (AJ)bound of the sea,
By a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it?
And though its waves toss to and fro,
Yet they cannot prevail;
Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it.
23 But this people has a defiant and rebellious heart;
They have revolted and departed.
24 They do not say in their heart,
“Let us now fear the Lord our God,
(AK)Who gives rain, both the (AL)former and the latter, in its season.
(AM)He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.”
25 (AN)Your iniquities have turned these things away,
And your sins have withheld good from you.

26 ‘For among My people are found wicked men;
They (AO)lie in wait as one who sets snares;
They set a trap;
They catch men.
27 As a cage is full of birds,
So their houses are full of deceit.
Therefore they have become great and grown rich.
28 They have grown (AP)fat, they are sleek;
Yes, they [f]surpass the deeds of the wicked;
They do not plead (AQ)the cause,
The cause of the fatherless;
(AR)Yet they prosper,
And the right of the needy they do not defend.
29 (AS)Shall I not punish them for these things?’ says the Lord.
‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?’

30 “An astonishing and (AT)horrible thing
Has been committed in the land:
31 The prophets prophesy (AU)falsely,
And the priests rule by their own power;
And My people (AV)love to have it so.
But what will you do in the end?

Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 5:1 justice
  2. Jeremiah 5:10 completely destroy
  3. Jeremiah 5:12 disaster
  4. Jeremiah 5:18 completely destroy
  5. Jeremiah 5:21 Lit. heart
  6. Jeremiah 5:28 Or pass over or overlook

Cross references

  1. Jeremiah 5:1 : Ezek. 22:30
  2. Jeremiah 5:1 : Gen. 18:23–32
  3. Jeremiah 5:1 : Gen. 18:26
  4. Jeremiah 5:2 : Is. 48:1; Titus 1:16
  5. Jeremiah 5:2 : Jer. 4:2
  6. Jeremiah 5:2 : Jer. 7:9
  7. Jeremiah 5:3 : 2 Kin. 25:1; [2 Chr. 16:9; Jer. 16:17]
  8. Jeremiah 5:3 : Is. 1:5; 9:13; Jer. 2:30
  9. Jeremiah 5:3 : Is. 9:13; Jer. 7:28; Zeph. 3:2
  10. Jeremiah 5:4 : Is. 27:11; Jer. 8:7; Hos. 4:6
  11. Jeremiah 5:5 : Mic. 3:1
  12. Jeremiah 5:5 : Ex. 32:25; Ps. 2:3; Jer. 2:20
  13. Jeremiah 5:6 : Jer. 4:7
  14. Jeremiah 5:6 : Ps. 104:20; Ezek. 22:27; Hab. 1:8; Zeph. 3:3
  15. Jeremiah 5:6 : Hos. 13:7
  16. Jeremiah 5:7 : Josh. 23:7; Jer. 12:16; Zeph. 1:5
  17. Jeremiah 5:7 : Deut. 32:21; Jer. 2:11; Gal. 4:8
  18. Jeremiah 5:7 : Deut. 32:15
  19. Jeremiah 5:8 : Jer. 13:27; 29:23; Ezek. 22:11
  20. Jeremiah 5:9 : Jer. 9:9
  21. Jeremiah 5:10 : Jer. 4:27
  22. Jeremiah 5:11 : Jer. 3:6, 7, 20
  23. Jeremiah 5:12 : 2 Chr. 36:16; Jer. 4:10
  24. Jeremiah 5:12 : Is. 28:15; 47:8; Jer. 23:17
  25. Jeremiah 5:12 : Jer. 14:13
  26. Jeremiah 5:14 : Is. 24:6; Jer. 1:9; 23:29; Hos. 6:5; Zech. 1:6
  27. Jeremiah 5:15 : Deut. 28:49; Is. 5:26; Jer. 1:15; 6:22
  28. Jeremiah 5:15 : Is. 39:3; Jer. 4:16
  29. Jeremiah 5:17 : Lev. 26:16; Deut. 28:31, 33; Jer. 8:16; 50:7, 17
  30. Jeremiah 5:18 : Jer. 30:11; Amos 9:8
  31. Jeremiah 5:19 : Deut. 29:24–29; 1 Kin. 9:8, 9; Jer. 13:22; 16:10–13
  32. Jeremiah 5:19 : Jer. 1:16; 2:13
  33. Jeremiah 5:19 : Deut. 28:48; Jer. 16:13
  34. Jeremiah 5:21 : Is. 6:9; Jer. 6:10; Ezek. 12:2; Matt. 13:14; John 12:40; Acts 28:26; Rom. 11:8
  35. Jeremiah 5:22 : Deut. 28:58; Ps. 119:120; Jer. 2:19; 10:7; [Rev. 15:4]
  36. Jeremiah 5:22 : Job 26:10
  37. Jeremiah 5:24 : Ps. 147:8; Jer. 14:22; [Matt. 5:45]; Acts 14:17
  38. Jeremiah 5:24 : Deut. 11:14; Joel 2:23; James 5:7
  39. Jeremiah 5:24 : [Gen. 8:22]
  40. Jeremiah 5:25 : Jer. 3:3
  41. Jeremiah 5:26 : Ps. 10:9; Prov. 1:11; Jer. 18:22; Hab. 1:15
  42. Jeremiah 5:28 : Deut. 32:15
  43. Jeremiah 5:28 : Is. 1:23; Jer. 7:6; 22:3; Zech. 7:10
  44. Jeremiah 5:28 : Job 12:6; Ps. 73:12
  45. Jeremiah 5:29 : Jer. 5:9; Mal. 3:5
  46. Jeremiah 5:30 : Jer. 23:14; Hos. 6:10; 2 Tim. 4:3
  47. Jeremiah 5:31 : Jer. 14:14; Ezek. 13:6
  48. Jeremiah 5:31 : Mic. 2:11

You Might Also Like:

Jeremiah 5 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

5 Go to and fro in streets of Jerusalem, And see, I pray you, and know, And seek in her broad places, if ye find a man, If there be one doing judgment, seeking stedfastness -- Then am I propitious to her. 2 And if they say, `Jehovah liveth,' Surely to a falsehood they swear. 3 Jehovah, Thine eyes, a...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

5 Compass ye the ways of Jerusalem, and look, and behold ye, and seek ye in the streets thereof, whether ye find a man doing doom, and seeking faith; and I shall be merciful to them. (Go ye about the ways of Jerusalem, and look, and behold ye, and seek ye in its streets, whether ye can find anyone d...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - World English Bible (WEB)

5 “Run back and forth through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in its wide places, if you can find a man, if there is anyone who does justly, who seeks truth, then I will pardon her. 2 Though they say, ‘As Yahweh lives,’ surely they swear falsely.” 3 O Yahweh, don’t your ey...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - The Voice (VOICE)

5 Eternal One: Roam the streets of Jerusalem, and tell Me what you see, Jeremiah. See if you can find anything good happening anywhere. Look in the marketplaces and open spaces of the city. If you can find just one honest person who lives according to My ways, I’ll spare the city of this horror.2 I...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

God’s Just Judgment5 Roam the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares! If you can find a person, if there is one who does justice, who seeks truth, then I will pardon the city.2 Though they say, “As Adonai lives!” surely they swear falsely.3 Adonai, do Your eyes no...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Utter Corruption of God’s People5 Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note!Search her squares to see if you can find a man,one who does justice and seeks truth;that I may pardon her.2 Though they say, “As the Lord lives,” yet they swear falsely.3 O Lord, do not thy eye...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Utter Corruption of God’s People5 Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note!Search her squares to see if you can find a man,one who does justice and seeks truth;that I may pardon her.2 Though they say, “As the Lord lives,” yet they swear falsely.3 O Lord, do not thy eye...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

The Utter Corruption of God’s People5 Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look around and take note!Search its squares and see if you can find one personwho acts justly and seeks truth—so that I may pardon Jerusalem.[a]2 Although they say, “As the Lord lives,” yet they swear falsely.3 O...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Utter Corruption of God’s People5 Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look around and take note!Search its squares and see if you can find one personwho acts justly and seeks truth—so that I may pardon Jerusalem.[a]2 Although they say, ‘As the Lord lives’, yet they swear falsely.3 O...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Utter Corruption of God’s People5 Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look around and take note!Search its squares and see if you can find one personwho acts justly and seeks truth—so that I may pardon Jerusalem.[a](A)2 Although they say, “As the Lord lives,” yet they swear falsely....
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - New Living Translation (NLT)

The Sins of Judah5 “Run up and down every street in Jerusalem,” says the Lord. “Look high and low; search throughout the city!If you can find even one just and honest person, I will not destroy the city.2 But even when they are under oath, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’ they are still tellin...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - New Life Version (NLV)

Jerusalem’s Sin5 “Go up and down through the streets of Jerusalem, and look and learn. Look in her open places to see if you can find just one man who does what is right and looks for the truth. Then I will forgive this city. 2 Even if they say, ‘As the Lord lives,’ for sure their promises are fals...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Justice of God’s Judgment5 “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem;See now and know;And seek in her open places(A)If you can find a man,(B)If there is anyone who executes [a]judgment,Who seeks the truth,(C)And I will pardon her.2 (D)Though they say, ‘As (E)the Lord lives,’Surely they (F...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Not one is upright5 ‘Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares.If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.2 Although they say, “As surely as the Lord lives,” still they are swearing falsely.’ 3 L...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - New International Version (NIV)

Not One Is Upright5 “Go up and down(A) the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider,(B) search through her squares.If you can find but one person(C) who deals honestly(D) and seeks the truth, I will forgive(E) this city.2 Although they say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’(F) still they are swea...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

No One Is Honest5 The Lord says, “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look around. Think about what you see.Search through the market. See if you can find one honest person who tries to be truthful. If you can, I will forgive this city.2 They make their promises in my name. They say, ‘You can b...
Read More

Jeremiah 5 - New English Translation (NET)

Judah is Justly Deserving of Coming Judgment5 The Lord said,[a]“Go up and down[b] through the streets of Jerusalem.Look around and see for yourselves.Search through its public squares.See if any of you can find a single personwho deals honestly and tries to be truthful.[c]If you can,[d] then I will ...
Read More