Jeremiah 5:20-31

Jeremiah 5:20-31

[20] Declare  this in the house  of Jacob,  and publish  it in Judah,  saying,  [21] Hear  now this, O foolish  people,  and without understanding;  which have eyes,  and see  not; which have ears,  and hear  not: [22] Fear  ye not me? saith  the LORD:  will ye not tremble  at my presence,  which have placed  the sand  for the bound  of the sea  by a perpetual  decree,  that it cannot pass  it: and though the waves  thereof toss  themselves, yet can they not prevail;  though they roar,  yet can they not pass over  [23] But this people  hath a revolting  and a rebellious  heart;  they are revolted  [24] Neither say  they in their heart,  Let us now fear  the LORD  our God,  that giveth  rain,  both the former  and the latter,  in his season:  he reserveth  unto us the appointed  weeks  of the harvest.  [25] Your iniquities  have turned away  these things, and your sins  have withholden  good  [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.  [28] 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;  [31] The prophets  prophesy  falsely,  and the priests  bear rule  by their means;  and my people  love  to have it so: and what will ye do  in the end 

What does Jeremiah 5:20-31 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

There were three aspects to Judah"s failure: the people"s perversity ( Jeremiah 5:20-25), their injustice ( Jeremiah 5:26-29), and their leaders ( Jeremiah 5:30-31). [1]
"Jeremiah rebukes the Judeans as a whole for their utter stupidity and lack of moral discernment. They have flaunted the covenant stipulations, and many ruthless individuals have prospered at the expense of the down-trodden." [2]