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World English Bible

Jeremiah 12:1

Righteous are you, Yahweh, when I contend with you; yet would I reason the cause with you: why does the way of the wicked prosper? why are all they at ease who deal very treacherously?

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - God Continued...;   Happiness;   Jeremiah;   Wicked (People);   Thompson Chain Reference - Apparent Injustice;   Great;   Injustice;   Justice-Injustice;   Mysteries, Great;   Mysteries-Revelations;   Partiality;   Prosperity;   Prosperity-Adversity;   Wicked, the;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Happiness of the Wicked, the;   Righteousness of God, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Prayer;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Baruch;   Jeremiah;   Providence;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Jeremiah;   Malachi;   Suffering;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Righteousness;   Wealth;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Idol;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Plead;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - God;   Judaism;   Optimism and Pessimism;   Skeptic;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for February 24;   Every Day Light - Devotion for January 31;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
You will be righteous, Lord,
Hebrew Names Version
Righteous are you, LORD, when I contend with you; yet would I reason the cause with you: why does the way of the wicked prosper? why are all they at ease who deal very treacherously?
King James Version
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?
English Standard Version
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 American Standard Bible
Righteous are You, LORD, when I plead my case with You; Nevertheless I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?
New Century Version
Lord , when I bring my case to you, you are always right. But I want to ask you about the justice you give. Why are evil people successful? Why do dishonest people have such easy lives?
Amplified Bible
You, O LORD are [uncompromisingly] righteous and consistently just when I plead my case with You; Yet let me discuss issues of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are those who deal in treachery (deceit) at ease and thriving?
Geneva Bible (1587)
O Lorde, if I dispute with thee, thou art righteous: yet let mee talke with thee of thy iudgements: wherefore doeth the way of the wicked prosper? why are all they in wealth that rebelliously transgresse?
Legacy Standard Bible
Righteous are You, O Yahweh, when I would plead my case with You;Indeed I would speak matters of justice with You:Why has the way of the wicked succeeded?Why are all those who deal in treachery complacent?
Berean Standard Bible
Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
Contemporary English Version
Whenever I complain to you, Lord , you are always fair. But now I have questions about your justice. Why is life easy for sinners? Why are they successful?
Complete Jewish Bible
Adonai , although you would be in the right if I were to dispute with you, nevertheless I want to discuss some points of justice with you: Why do the wicked prosper? Why do the treacherous all thrive?
Darby Translation
Righteous art thou, Jehovah, when I plead with thee; yet will I speak with thee of [thy] judgments. Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? [wherefore] are all they at ease that deal very treacherously?
Easy-to-Read Version
Lord , if I argue with you, you are always right. But I want to ask you about some things that don't seem right. Why are wicked people successful? Why do people you cannot trust have such easy lives?
George Lamsa Translation
RIGHTEOUS art thou. O LORD, when I plead with thee; yet let me talk of justice before thee. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are all the treacherous men rich?
Good News Translation
" Lord , if I argued my case with you, you would prove to be right. Yet I must question you about matters of justice. Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why do dishonest people succeed?
Lexham English Bible
You will be in the right, O Yahweh, when I complain to you. Even so, let me speak my claims with you. Why does the way of the wicked succeed? All those who deal treacherously with treachery are at ease.
Literal Translation
Righteous are You, O Jehovah, when I might complain to You, yet let me speak with You of Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are all those dealers of deceit at ease?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
O Lorde, thou art more rightuous, then that I shulde dispute with the: Neuertheles, let me talke with the in thinges reasonable. How happeneth it, that the waye off the vngodly is so prosperous? and that it goeth so wel with them, which (with out eny shame) offede and lyue in wickednesse?
American Standard Version
Righteous art thou, O Jehovah, when I contend with thee; yet would I reason the cause with thee: wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they at ease that deal very treacherously?
Bible in Basic English
You are in the right, O Lord, when I put my cause before you: still let me take up with you the question of your decisions: why does the evil-doer do well? why are the workers of deceit living in comfort?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Right 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?
King James Version (1611)
Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I pleade with thee: yet let mee talke with thee of thy iudgements: Wherefore doeth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happie that deale very treacherously?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
O Lorde thou art more righteous, then that I shoulde dispute with thee: neuerthelesse, let me talke with thee in thynges reasonable. Howe happeneth it that the way of the vngodly is so prosperous? and that it goeth so well with them which without any shame offend and liue in wickednesse,
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Righteous 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 hat deal very treacherously are flourishing?
English Revised Version
Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet would I reason the cause with thee: wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they at ease that deal very treacherously?
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe, Lord, thou art iust; if Y dispute with thee, netheles Y schal speke iust thingis to thee. Whi hath the weie of wickid men prosperite? It is wel to alle men that breken the lawe, and doen wickidli?
Update Bible Version
You are righteous, O Yahweh, when I contend with you; yet would I reason the cause with you: why does the way of the wicked prosper? why are all those at ease that deal very treacherously?
Webster's Bible Translation
Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me speak with thee of [thy] judgments: Why doth the way of the wicked prosper? [why] are they all happy that deal very treacherously?
New English Translation
Lord , you have always been fair whenever I have complained to you. However, I would like to speak with you about the disposition of justice. Why are wicked people successful? Why do all dishonest people have such easy lives?
New King James Version
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?
New Living Translation
Lord , you always give me justice when I bring a case before you. So let me bring you this complaint: Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil people so happy?
New Life Bible
You are right and good, O Lord, when I complain to You about my trouble. Yet I would like to talk with You about what is fair. Why does the way of the sinful go well? Why do all those who cannot be trusted have it so easy?
New Revised Standard
You will be in the right, O Lord , when I lay charges against you; but let me put my case to you. Why does the way of the guilty prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Righteous, art thou O Yahweh, when I present my pleading unto thee, - Yet, concerning the things that are right, let me speak with thee, - Wherefore hath, the way of the lawless, prospered? Wherefore have all, utter traitors, been at ease?
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou indeed, O Lord, art just, if I plead with thee, but yet I will speak what is just to thee: Why doth the way of the wicked prosper: why is it well with all them that transgress, and do wickedly?
Revised Standard Version
Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I complain to thee; yet I would plead my case before thee. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
Young's Literal Translation
Righteous [art] Thou, O Jehovah, When I plead towards thee, Only, judgments do I speak with Thee, Wherefore did the way of the wicked prosper? At rest have been all treacherous dealers.
THE MESSAGE
You are right, O God , and you set things right. I can't argue with that. But I do have some questions: Why do bad people have it so good? Why do con artists make it big? You planted them and they put down roots. They flourished and produced fruit. They talk as if they're old friends with you, but they couldn't care less about you. Meanwhile, you know me inside and out. You don't let me get by with a thing! Make them pay for the way they live, pay with their lives, like sheep marked for slaughter. How long do we have to put up with this— the country depressed, the farms in ruin— And all because of wickedness, these wicked lives? Even animals and birds are dying off Because they'll have nothing to do with God and think God has nothing to do with them.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Righteous are You, O LORD, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?

Contextual Overview

1 Righteous are you, Yahweh, when I contend with you; yet would I reason the cause with you: why does the way of the wicked prosper? why are all they at ease who deal very treacherously? 2 You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; they grow, yes, they bring forth fruit: you are near in their mouth, and far from their heart. 3 But you, Yahweh, know me; you see me, and try my heart toward you: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. 4 How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? for the wickedness of those who dwell therein, the animals are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our latter end. 5 If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? and though in a land of peace you are secure, yet how will you do in the pride of the Jordan? 6 For even your brothers, and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; even they have cried aloud after you: don't believe them, though they speak beautiful words to you.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Righteous: Jeremiah 11:20, Genesis 18:25, Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalms 51:4, Psalms 119:75, Psalms 119:137, Psalms 145:17, Daniel 9:7, Habakkuk 1:13-17, Zephaniah 3:5, Romans 3:5, Romans 3:6

talk: or, reason the case, Job 13:3, Isaiah 41:21

Wherefore doth: Jeremiah 5:28, Job 12:6, Job 21:7-15, Psalms 37:1, Psalms 37:35, Psalms 73:3-28, Psalms 92:7, Psalms 94:3, Psalms 94:4, Proverbs 1:32, Habakkuk 1:4, Malachi 3:15

deal: Jeremiah 12:6, Jeremiah 5:11, Isaiah 48:8, Hosea 6:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:3 - Behold Exodus 5:22 - returned Exodus 32:11 - why doth Joshua 7:7 - wherefore Judges 20:21 - destroyed Judges 21:3 - why is 2 Samuel 14:12 - speak one word 1 Kings 17:20 - hast thou also 2 Chronicles 22:12 - Athaliah Nehemiah 9:33 - Howbeit Job 4:17 - Shall mortal Job 5:3 - taking Job 8:17 - roots Job 9:24 - earth Job 10:3 - shine upon Job 23:7 - There Job 24:1 - not see Job 24:23 - it be given Job 34:10 - far Job 36:3 - ascribe Job 36:6 - preserveth Psalms 36:6 - judgments Psalms 37:7 - fret Psalms 73:5 - They are Psalms 73:12 - these Psalms 89:38 - But Ecclesiastes 7:15 - there is a wicked Ecclesiastes 7:25 - the reason Isaiah 24:16 - the treacherous Jeremiah 9:2 - an assembly Jeremiah 32:16 - I Prayed Lamentations 1:18 - Lord Ezekiel 18:25 - my Daniel 8:12 - and it practiced Habakkuk 2:1 - when I am reproved Romans 2:2 - judgment Romans 9:14 - Is there unrighteousness

Cross-References

Genesis 12:2
I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you, and make your name great. You will be a blessing.
Genesis 12:3
I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you. In you will all of the families of the earth be blessed."
Genesis 12:6
Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. The Canaanite was then in the land.
Genesis 12:10
There was a famine in the land. Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was sore in the land.
Genesis 12:11
It happened, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, "See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman to look on.
Genesis 15:7
He said to him, "I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it."
Nehemiah 9:7
You are Yahweh the God, who did choose Abram, and brought him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gave him the name of Abraham,
Isaiah 41:9
you whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, and called from the corners of it, and said to you, You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you away;
Isaiah 51:2
Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for when he was but one I called him, and I blessed him, and made him many.
Ezekiel 33:24
Son of man, they who inhabit those waste places in the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee,.... The six first verses of this chapter properly belong to the preceding, being of the same argument, and in strict connection with the latter part of it. Jeremiah appears to be under the same temptation, on account of the prosperity of the wicked, as Asaph was, Psalms 73:1 only he seems to have been more upon his guard, and less liable to fall by it; he sets out: with this as a first principle, an undoubted truth, that God was righteous, and could do nothing wrong and amiss, however unaccountable his providences might be to men: he did not mean, by entering the list with him, or by litigating this point, to charge him with any unrighteousness this he took for granted, and was well satisfied of, that the Lord was righteous, "though", says he, "I plead with thee" t; so some read the words. De Dieu renders them interrogatively, "shall I plead with thee?" shall I dare to do it? shall I take that boldness and use that freedom with thee? I will. The Targum is the reverse,

"thou art more just, O Lord, than that I should contend before thy word:''

yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments; not of his laws, statutes, word, and ordinances, sometimes so called; but rather of his providences, which are always dispensed with equity and justice, though not always manifest; they are sometimes unsearchable and past finding out, and will bear a sober and modest inquiry into them, and debate concerning them; the people of God may take the liberty of asking questions concerning them, when they are at a loss to account for them. So the Targum,

"but I will ask a question of judgments before thee.''

The words may be rendered, "but I will speak judgments with thee" u; things that are right; that are agreeable to the word of God and sound reason; things that are consistent with the perfections of God, particularly his justice and holiness; which are founded upon equity and truth; I will produce such reasons and arguments as seem to be reasonable and just.

Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? or they prosper in all their ways? whatever they take in hand succeeds; they enjoy a large share of health of body; their families increase, their trade flourishes, their flocks and herds grow large and numerous, and they have great plenty of all outward blessings; and yet they are wicked men, without the fear of God, regard not him, nor his worship and ways; but walk in their own ways which they have chosen, and delight in their abominations. Some understand this, as Jarchi, of Nebuchadnezzar, to whom God had given greatness and prosperity, to destroy the house of God; but by what follows, in the latter part of the next verse, it appears that God's professing people, the Jews, are meant, and most likely the priests at Anathoth.

Wherefore are all they happy; easy, quiet, secure, live in peace and plenty:

that deal very treacherously? with God and men, in religions and civil affairs.

t כי אריב אליך "etiamsi contendam tecum", Cocceius, Gataker. u אך משפטים אדבר אותך "verum tamen judicia loquar tecum", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Schmidt.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Yet 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; Psalms 37:0; Psalms 73:0.

Happy - Rather, secure, tranquil.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER XII

This chapter is connected with the foregoing. The prophet

expostulates with God concerning the ways of Providence in

permitting the wicked to prosper, 1-4.

It is intimated to him that he must endure still greater

trials, 5,

from his false and deceitful brethren, 6;

but that still heavier judgments awaited the nation for their

crimes, 7-13.

That God, however, would at length have compassion on them;

restore them to their land; and turn his judgments against

those that oppressed them, if not prevented by their becoming

converts to the true religion, 14-17.

NOTES ON CHAP. XII

Verse Jeremiah 12:1. Righteous 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 instruction.


 
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