Chapter 12
1 You are righteous , LORD , when I contend with you ; yet I would like to plead a case with you . Why does the way of the wicked prosper ? Why are they all at ease who deal very treacherously?
2 You have planted them . Yes , they have taken root . They grow . Yes , they produce fruit . You are near in their mouth , and far from their heart .
3 But you , LORD , know me . You see me , and test my heart towards you . Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter , and prepare them for the day of slaughter .
4 How long will the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither ? Because of the wickedness of those who dwell therein , the animals and birds are consumed ; because they said, " He won’t see our latter end."
5 " If you have run with the footmen , and they have wearied you , then how can you contend with horses ? 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 .
7 " I 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 My heritage has become to me as a lion in the forest . She has uttered her voice against me . Therefore I have hated her .
9 Is my heritage to me as a speckled bird of prey ? Are the birds of prey against her all around ? Go , assemble all the animals of the field . Bring them to devour.
10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard . They have trodden my portion under foot. They have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness .
11 They have made it a desolation . It mourns to me , being desolate . The whole land is made desolate , because no one cares .
12 Destroyers have come on all the bare heights in the wilderness ; for the sword of the LORD devours from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land. No flesh has peace .
13 They have sown wheat , and have reaped thorns . They have exhausted themselves , and profit nothing . You will be ashamed of your fruits , because of the LORD ’s fierce anger ."
14 The LORD says , " Concerning all my evil neighbours , who 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 amongst them .
15 It will happen that after I have plucked them up , I will return and have compassion on them . I will bring them again , every man to his heritage , and every man to his land .
16 It will happen , if they will diligently learn the ways of my people , to swear by my name , ‘ As the LORD lives ;’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal , then they will be built up in the middle of my people .
17 But if they will not hear , then I will pluck up that nation , plucking up and destroying it ," says the LORD .