Jeremiah 17:11

9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

10 I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.”

12 A glorious throne, exalted from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary.

13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who abandon You will be put to shame. All who turn away will be written in the dust, for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water.

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

Compare

BSB
Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.”
KJV
As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
WEB
As the partridge that sits on eggs which she has not laid, so is he who gets riches, and not by right. In the middle of his days, they will leave him. At his end, he will be a fool.
ASV
As the partridge that sitteth on [eggs] which she hath not laid, so is he that getteth riches, and not by right; in the midst of his days they shall leave him, and at his end he shall be a fool.
DARBY
[As] the partridge sitteth on [eggs] it hath not laid, [so] is he that getteth riches and not by right: in the midst of his days shall he leave them, and at his end shall be a fool.
BLB
[As] a partridge that broods and not having brought forth, [is] one making riches and not with justice; in the midst of his days it will leave him, and at his end he will become a fool.”
ÅB
Lik en rapphøne som samler unger den ikke har utklekket, er den som vinner rikdom, men ikke med rett; midt i sine dager skal han forlate den, og til sist skal han være en dåre.
OTB
Som en rapphøne som klekker egg den ikke har lagt, slik er den som samler rikdom urettferdig; midt i livet vil det forlate dem, og til slutt vil de bli avslørt som dårer.
B1930
Lik en rapphøne som samler unger den ikke har utklekket, er den som vinner rikdom, men ikke med rett; midt i sine dager skal han forlate den, og til sist skal han være en dåre.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Proverbs 28:20

    A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 21:6

    Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 22:17

    “But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 22:13

    “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages,

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 15:27

    He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 28:8

    He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 55:23

    But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.

    Read in context
  • Habakkuk 2:6–12

    Will not all of these take up a taunt against him, speaking with mockery and derision: ‘Woe to him who amasses what is not his and makes himself rich with many loans! How long will this go on?’

    Read in context