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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/12-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/24_Jer_12_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 12:1 - The Prosperity of the Wicked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? 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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? <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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? <a href="/esv/jeremiah/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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? <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/12.htm">King James Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/12.htm">New King James Version</a> 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? <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> 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? <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Righteous art Thou, O LORD, that I would plead my case with Thee; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with Thee: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease? <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> 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? <a href="/amp/jeremiah/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> 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? <a href="/csb/jeremiah/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> You will be righteous, LORD, even if I bring a case against you. Yet, I wish to contend with you: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the treacherous live at ease? <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> You will be righteous, LORD, even if I bring a case against You. Yet, I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the treacherous live at ease? <a href="/asv/jeremiah/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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? <a href="/cev/jeremiah/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> 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? <a href="/erv/jeremiah/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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? <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> O LORD, even if I would argue my case with you, you would always be right. Yet, I want to talk to you about your justice. Why do wicked people succeed? Why do treacherous people have peace and quiet? <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> "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? <a href="/isv/jeremiah/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> You are righteous, LORD, even when I bring a complaint to you. But I want to discuss justice with you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper, while all who are treacherous are at ease? <a href="/msb/jeremiah/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? <a href="/net/jeremiah/12.htm">NET Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> You are righteous, LORD, when I contend with you; yet I would reason the cause with you: why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are they all at ease who deal very treacherously? <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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? <a href="/web/jeremiah/12.htm">World English Bible</a> You are righteous, Yahweh, 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? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> You [are] righteous, O YHWH, "" When I plead toward You, "" Only, let me speak judgments with You, "" Why did the way of the wicked prosper? All treacherous dealers have been at rest. <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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. <a href="/slt/jeremiah/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Just art thou, O Jehovah, for I will strive to thee: surely I will speak judgments with thee: Wherefore did the way of the evil prosper? all they acting faithlessly with treachery were secure?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> 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? <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Certainly, O Lord, you are just. But if I may contend with you, while still speaking what is just to you: Why does the way of the impious prosper? Why is it well with all those who transgress and act unfairly? <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/12.htm">New American Bible</a> You would be in the right, O LORD, if I should dispute with you; even so, I must lay out the case against you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper, why do all the treacherous live in contentment? <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> 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?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> 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? <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> You are righteous, LORD JEHOVAH, that I may judge with you, however, I am speaking justice before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper, and why are all liars rich?<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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? <a href="/sep/jeremiah/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> 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? <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=3633" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/12.htm">The Prosperity of the Wicked</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: ṣad·dîq (Adj-ms) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">Righteous</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">are You,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">O LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">when</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: ’ā·rîḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">I plead</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·le·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- To, into, towards. ">before You.</a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">Yet</a> <a href="/hebrew/4639.htm" title="4639: miš·pā·ṭîm (N-mp) -- A deed, work. From asah; an action; generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product or property.">about Your judgments</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: ’ă·ḏab·bêr (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">I wish to contend</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’ō·w·ṯāḵ (Prep:: 2ms) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with You:</a> <a href="/hebrew/4069.htm" title="4069: mad·dū·a‘ (Interrog) -- Why? for what reason?. Or madduaa; from mah and the passive participle of yada'; what known?; i.e. why?.">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">does the way</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rə·šā·‘îm (Adj-mp) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">of the wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/6743.htm" title="6743: ṣā·lê·ḥāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To push forward. Or tsaleach; a primitive root; to push forward, in various senses.">prosper?</a> <a href="/hebrew/899.htm" title="899: ḇā·ḡeḏ (N-ms) -- A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage. From bagad; a covering, i.e. Clothing; also treachery or pillage.">Why do all the faithless</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every."></a> <a href="/hebrew/898.htm" title="898: bō·ḡə·ḏê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To act or deal treacherously. A primitive root; to cover; figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7951.htm" title="7951: šā·lū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To be quiet or at ease. Or shalav; a primitive root; to be tranquil, i.e. Secure or successful.">live at ease?</a> 2You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Habakkuk 1:13</a> Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? <a href="/psalms/73-3.htm">Psalm 73:3-17</a> For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. / They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. / They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men. ... <a href="/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7-13</a> Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? / Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes. / Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them. ... <a href="/psalms/37-1.htm">Psalm 37:1-2</a> Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. / For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants. <a href="/malachi/3-15.htm">Malachi 3:15</a> So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’” <a href="/psalms/94-3.htm">Psalm 94:3-7</a> How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked exult? / They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast. / They crush Your people, O LORD; they oppress Your heritage. ... <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:14</a> There is a futility that is done on the earth: There are righteous men who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked men who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile. <a href="/psalms/49-16.htm">Psalm 49:16-17</a> Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. / For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down. <a href="/job/12-6.htm">Job 12:6</a> The tents of robbers are safe, and those who provoke God are secure—those who carry their god in their hands. <a href="/psalms/92-7.htm">Psalm 92:7</a> that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed. <a href="/matthew/13-24.htm">Matthew 13:24-30</a> Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. / But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. / When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. ... <a href="/romans/9-14.htm">Romans 9:14-21</a> What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not! / For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” / So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. ... <a href="/revelation/6-10.htm">Revelation 6:10</a> And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?” <a href="/luke/18-7.htm">Luke 18:7-8</a> Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them? / I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” <a href="/2_thessalonians/1-6.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:6-7</a> After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, / and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Righteous are you, O LORD, when I plead with you: yet let me talk with you of your judgments: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? why are all they happy that deal very treacherously?Righteous.<a href="/jeremiah/11-20.htm">Jeremiah 11:20</a> But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.<a href="/genesis/18-25.htm">Genesis 18:25</a> That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?<a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Deuteronomy 32:4</a> He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.talk.<a href="/job/13-3.htm">Job 13:3</a> Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.<a href="/isaiah/41-21.htm">Isaiah 41:21</a> Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.wherefore doth.<a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Jeremiah 5:28</a> They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.<a href="/job/12-6.htm">Job 12:6</a> The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.<a href="/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7-15</a> Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? … deal.<a href="/jeremiah/12-6.htm">Jeremiah 12:6</a> For 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.<a href="/jeremiah/5-11.htm">Jeremiah 5:11</a> For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD.<a href="/isaiah/48-8.htm">Isaiah 48:8</a> Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Case</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-20.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-29.htm">Complain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-29.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-5.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-5.htm">Discuss</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-11.htm">Ease</a> <a href="/isaiah/56-2.htm">Happy</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-7.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-12.htm">Judgments</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-24.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-22.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-16.htm">Plead</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Prospered</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-14.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-15.htm">Right</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-2.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-2.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-11.htm">Treacherously</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-27.htm">Treachery</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-15.htm">Way</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-12.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-29.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/42-15.htm">Case</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-1.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-39.htm">Complain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-7.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/matthew/16-7.htm">Discuss</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-21.htm">Ease</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-15.htm">Happy</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-12.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-9.htm">Judgments</a> <a href="/jeremiah/21-12.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-1.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-11.htm">Plead</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-11.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-11.htm">Prospered</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-10.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-10.htm">Right</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-12.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-6.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/jeremiah/24-9.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-6.htm">Treacherously</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-20.htm">Treachery</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-9.htm">Way</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-22.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-14.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 12</div>1. <a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah, complaining of the prosperity of the wicked, by faith sees their ruin.</a> 5. <a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm">God admonishes him of his brothers' treachery against him;</a> 7. <a href="/jeremiah/12-7.htm">and laments his heritage.</a> 14. <a href="/jeremiah/12-14.htm">He promises to the penitent return from captivity.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. This phrase acknowledges God's inherent righteousness and justice, a central theme throughout the Bible. Jeremiah begins his complaint by affirming God's character, which is consistent with the biblical understanding of God as just and holy (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Deuteronomy 32:4</a>, <a href="/psalms/145-17.htm">Psalm 145:17</a>). This sets the stage for a respectful dialogue, recognizing God's authority and moral perfection. The act of pleading before God reflects the Jewish tradition of lament and supplication, where believers bring their grievances and questions to God, trusting in His ultimate wisdom and justice.Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Jeremiah expresses a desire to question God's decisions, a bold move that reflects the prophet's deep relationship with God. This mirrors the struggles of other biblical figures like Job, who also questioned divine justice (<a href="/job/13-3.htm">Job 13:3</a>). The term "contend" suggests a legal dispute, indicating Jeremiah's struggle to reconcile his understanding of God's righteousness with the reality he observes. This tension is a common theme in prophetic literature, where prophets often grapple with the apparent delay or absence of divine justice.Why does the way of the wicked prosper? This question echoes a recurring biblical theme, found in Psalms (<a href="/psalms/73-3.htm">Psalm 73:3</a>) and other prophetic writings, where the prosperity of the wicked is a source of confusion and distress for the righteous. It challenges the expectation that God's justice should be immediate and visible. The prosperity of the wicked is a test of faith, prompting believers to trust in God's ultimate plan and timing, even when immediate circumstances seem unjust.Why do all the faithless live at ease? Jeremiah observes that those who are unfaithful to God often seem to live comfortably, without the struggles faced by the righteous. This observation is not only a personal lament but also a reflection of the broader societal issues of his time, where idolatry and injustice were rampant. The ease of the faithless contrasts with the suffering of the faithful, a theme that invites believers to look beyond temporal circumstances to the eternal justice of God. This tension is resolved in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches about the ultimate reversal of fortunes in the Kingdom of God (<a href="/luke/6-24.htm">Luke 6:24-25</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his lamentations and struggles with the people's unfaithfulness. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, who is righteous and just in all His ways. Jeremiah addresses Him directly in this verse. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a> Those who live in opposition to God's laws and seem to prosper despite their unrighteousness. 4. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, where Jeremiah prophesied. The people of Judah were often unfaithful to God, leading to Jeremiah's lament. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_faithless.htm">The Faithless</a> Those who have turned away from God, living without regard for His commandments, yet appear to live comfortably.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_righteousness_and_justice.htm">God's Righteousness and Justice</a> Despite appearances, God is always righteous and just. Our understanding is limited, but His ways are perfect. <a href="/topical/t/the_struggle_with_injustice.htm">The Struggle with Injustice</a> It is natural to question why the wicked prosper, but we must trust in God's ultimate justice and timing. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_plan.htm">Faith in God's Plan</a> Even when circumstances seem unfair, believers are called to maintain faith in God's overarching plan and His righteous character. <a href="/topical/p/prayer_and_honest_dialogue_with_god.htm">Prayer and Honest Dialogue with God</a> Like Jeremiah, we can bring our honest questions and struggles to God in prayer, trusting that He hears and understands. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a> The prosperity of the wicked is temporary. Believers are encouraged to focus on eternal rewards and God's ultimate justice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 12</a> <a href="/q/why_do_evil_people_succeed.htm">Why do evil people succeed?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_the_wicked_prosper_if_god_is_just.htm">If God is righteous (Jeremiah 12:1), why do the wicked prosper unchecked? </a> <a href="/q/why_do_the_unethical_often_succeed.htm">Proverbs 2 depicts a direct correlation between virtue and success—why do corrupt or unethical individuals often thrive in reality? </a> <a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_psalm_52_6-7_with_evildoers'_prosperity.htm">How do we reconcile Psalm 52:6–7 with other biblical texts that show evildoers prospering instead of being mocked? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) Yet let me talk with thee.--The soul of the prophet is vexed, as had been the soul of Job (<a href="/jeremiah/21-7.htm" title="And afterward, said the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.">Jeremiah 21:7</a>), of Asaph (Psalms 73), and others, by the apparent anomalies of the divine government. He owns as a general truth that God is righteous, "yet," he adds, I will speak (or argue) my cause (literally, causes) with Thee. He will question the divine Judge till his doubt is removed. And the question is the ever-recurring one, Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? (Comp. <a href="/psalms/37-1.htm" title="Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be you envious against the workers of iniquity.">Psalm 37:1</a>; <a href="/psalms/73-3.htm" title="For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.">Psalm 73:3</a>.) The "treacherous dealing" implies a reference to the conspirators of the previous chapter.Wherefore are all they happy . . .--Better, at rest, or secure.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - Painfully exercised by the mysteries of the Divine government, the prophet opens his grief to Jehovah. Righteous art thou, etc.; rather, Righteous wouldest thou be, O Jehovah, if I should plead with thee; i.e. if I were to bring a charge against thee, I should be unable to convict thee of injustice (comp. <a href="/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4</a>; <a href="/job/9-2.htm">Job 9:2</a>). The prophet, however, cannot refrain from laying before Jehovah a point which seems to him irreconcilable with the Divine righteousness. The rendering, indeed, must be modified. Let me talk with thee of thy judgments should rather be, yet will I debate questions of right with thee. The questions remind us of those of Job in <a href="/job/21.htm">Job 21, 24</a>. Thus to have been the recipient of special Divine revelations, and to be in close communion with God, gives no security against the occasional ingress of doubting thoughts and spiritual distress. Wherefore are all they happy, etc.? rather, secure. The statement must be qualified by what follows. In the general calamity the wicked still fare the best. <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Righteous צַדִּ֤יק (ṣad·dîq) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6662.htm">Strong's 6662: </a> Just, righteous [are] You, אַתָּה֙ (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you O LORD, יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel when כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction I plead אָרִ֖יב (’ā·rîḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend before You. אֵלֶ֑יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Yet אַ֤ךְ (’aḵ) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> A particle of affirmation, surely I wish to contend מִשְׁפָּטִים֙ (miš·pā·ṭîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style with You: אוֹתָ֔ךְ (’ō·w·ṯāḵ) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> Nearness, near, with, by, at, among Why מַדּ֗וּעַ (mad·dū·a‘) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4069.htm">Strong's 4069: </a> Why? for what reason? does the way דֶּ֤רֶךְ (de·reḵ) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action of the wicked רְשָׁעִים֙ (rə·šā·‘îm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> Wrong, an, bad person prosper? צָלֵ֔חָה (ṣā·lê·ḥāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6743.htm">Strong's 6743: </a> To push forward Why do all the faithless בָֽגֶד׃ (ḇā·ḡeḏ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_898.htm">Strong's 898: </a> To cover, to act covertly, to pillage live at ease? שָׁל֖וּ (šā·lū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7951.htm">Strong's 7951: </a> To be tranquil, secure, successful <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are you Yahweh when I contend (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/11-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 11:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 11:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/12-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 12:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 12:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>