Jeremiah 12:5

Courage and strength Trials and adversity Wisdom Patience

³ But You know me, O LORD; You see me and test my heart toward You. Drag away the wicked like sheep to the slaughter and set them apart for the day of carnage.

⁴ How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field be withered? Because of the evil of its residents, the animals and birds have been swept away, for the people have said, “He cannot see what our end will be.”

“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in a peaceful land, how will you do in the thickets of the Jordan?

⁶ Even your brothers— your own father’s household— even they have betrayed you; even they have cried aloud against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you.

⁷ I have forsaken My house; I have abandoned My inheritance. I have given the love of My life into the hands of her enemies.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in a peaceful land, how will you do in the thickets of the Jordan?
KJV: If 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?
WEB: “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?
ASV: 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 pride of the Jordan?
DARBY: If thou hast run with footmen, and they have wearied thee, how wilt thou then contend with horses? And if in a land of peace thou thinkest thyself in security, how wilt thou then do in the swelling of the Jordan?
BLB: “If you have run with those on foot and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And in a land of peace you are trusting—then how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?

ÅB: Når du løper med fotgjengere, og de gjør deg trett, hvordan vil du løpe om kapp med hester? I et fredelig land er du trygg, men hva vil du gjøre i Jordans prakt[^2]?
OTB: “Hvis du har løpt med menn til fots og de har slitt deg ut, hvordan kan du konkurrere med hester? Hvis du snubler i et fredelig land, hvordan vil du klare deg i krattet ved Jordan?
B1930: Når du løper med fotgjengere, og de gjør dig trett, hvorledes vil du løpe om kapp med hester? I et fredelig land er du trygg, men hvad vil du gjøre i Jordans prakt? / < d.e. den prektige skog på Jordans bredder, hvor løver hadde tilhold; JER 49, 19; 50, 44. SKR 11, 3.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Read in context
Proverbs 24:10
If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength!
Read in context
Hebrews 12:3–4
Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Read in context
Psalms 69:1–2
Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck.
Read in context
Jeremiah 49:19
Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered pasture. For in an instant I will chase Edom from her land. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? For who is like Me, and who can challenge Me? What shepherd can stand against Me?”
Read in context
Psalms 42:7
Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me.
Read in context
Proverbs 3:11
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke;
Read in context
Jeremiah 50:44
Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered pasture. For in an instant I will chase Babylon from her land. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? For who is like Me, and who can challenge Me? What shepherd can stand against Me?”
Read in context