Jeremiah 4:22

The Lord answered, ¹  “This will happen ²  because my people are foolish. They do not know me. They are like children who have no sense. ³  They have no understanding. They are skilled at doing evil. They do not know how to do good.”

De 32:6,28; 2Sa 13:3; 2Sa 16:21-23; Ps 14:1-4; Isa 1:3; Isa 6:9,10; Isa 27:11; Isa 29:10-12; Isa 42:19,20; Jer 5:4,21; Jer 8:7-9; Ho 4:1,6; Ho 5:4; Mic 2:1; Mt 23:16-26; Lu 16:8; Joh 16:3; Ro 1:22; Ro 1:28; Ro 3:11; Ro 16:19; 1Co 1:20,21; 1Co 14:20

¹ tn These words are not in the text but are supplied in the translation to show clearly the shift in speaker. Jeremiah has been speaking; now the Lord answers, giving the reason for the devastation Jeremiah foresees.

² tn Heb “For….” This gives the explanation for the destruction envisaged in 4:20 to which Jeremiah responds in 4:19, 21.

³ tn Heb “They are senseless children.”