Jeremiah 5:28

26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.

27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.

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.

29 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.
KJV
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.
WEB
They have grown fat. They shine; yes, they excel in deeds of wickedness. They don’t plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and they don’t defend the rights of the needy.
ASV
They are waxed fat, they shine: yea, they overpass in deeds of wickedness; they plead not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
DARBY
They are become fat, they shine, yea, they surpass in deeds of wickedness; they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, and they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not adjudge.
BLB
they have grown fat; they are sleek. Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; they do not judge justly the cause of the fatherless, and they prosper, and the justice of the needy ones they have not vindicated.
ÅB
De er blitt fete, de glinser, de strømmer over av ondt, de dømmer ikke rett i noen sak, ikke i den farløses sak, så de fremmer den, og fattigfolk hjelper de ikke til deres rett.
OTB
De har blitt fete og glatte. Deres onde gjerninger har ingen grenser; de søker ikke rettferdighet. De forsvarer ikke de farløses sak, heller ikke opprettholder de de fattiges rettigheter.
B1930
De er blitt fete, de glinser, de strømmer over av ondt, de dømmer ikke rett i nogen sak, ikke i den farløses sak, så de fremmer den, og fattigfolk hjelper de ikke til deres rett.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 1:23

    Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 32:15

    But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 73:12

    Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

    Read in context
  • Zechariah 7:10

    And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 7:6

    If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:

    Read in context
  • Job 15:27–28

    Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 72:4

    He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

    Read in context
  • Amos 4:1

    Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.

    Read in context