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Jeremiah 12: Why Does the Way of the Wicked Prosper?

In Jeremiah 12 the prophet asks God a hard question. Why do wicked people seem to do well? God answers with a challenge. If running with people on foot has tired you, how will you run with horses? God grieves over his land. He also promises to have compassion and bring people back, even the nations, if they learn his ways.

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Bible:

Read Jeremiah 12

World English Bible · 17 verses

  1. 1 You are righteous, Yahweh, when I contend with you; yet I would like to plead a case with you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are they all at ease who deal very treacherously?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  2. 2 You have planted them. Yes, they have taken root. They grow. Yes, they produce fruit. You are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  3. 3 But you, Yahweh, know me. You see me, and test my heart toward you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  4. 4 How long will the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? Because of the wickedness of those who dwell therein, the animals and birds are consumed; because they said, “He won’t see our latter end.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  5. 5 “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?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  6. 6 For even your brothers, and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you! Even they have cried aloud after you! Don’t believe them, though they speak beautiful words to you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  7. 7 “I have forsaken my house. I have cast off my heritage. I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  8. 8 My heritage has become to me as a lion in the forest. She has uttered her voice against me. Therefore I have hated her.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  9. 9 Is my heritage to me as a speckled bird of prey? Are the birds of prey against her all around? Go, assemble all the animals of the field. Bring them to devour.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  10. 10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard. They have trodden my portion under foot. They have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  11. 11 They have made it a desolation. It mourns to me, being desolate. The whole land is made desolate, because no one cares.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  12. 12 Destroyers have come on all the bare heights in the wilderness; for the sword of Yahweh devours from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land. No flesh has peace.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  13. 13 They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns. They have exhausted themselves, and profit nothing. You will be ashamed of your fruits, because of Yahweh’s fierce anger.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  14. 14 Yahweh says, “Concerning all my evil neighbors, who touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit: Behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  15. 15 It will happen that after I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them. I will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  16. 16 It will happen, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As Yahweh lives;’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will be built up in the middle of my people.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  17. 17 But if they will not hear, then I will pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying it,” says Yahweh.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Jeremiah 12 · Preschool

Ask God Anything

Name Date

Color the horses running and Jeremiah praying. You can talk to God!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“It will happen that after I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them. I will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.”

Jeremiah 12:15 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Then explain that Jeremiah asked God a hard question, and God listened. We can talk to God about anything. Take a moment to tell God something you wonder about.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.

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