Jeremiah 12:5

Courage and strength Trials and adversity Wisdom Patience

³ But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: 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 every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

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?

⁶ 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.

⁷ I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand 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, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
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Proverbs 24:10
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
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Hebrews 12:3–4
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
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Psalms 69:1–2
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
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Jeremiah 49:19
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
Read in context
Psalms 42:7
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
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Proverbs 3:11
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
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Jeremiah 50:44
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
Read in context