1 Whenever I complainto you, Lord,you are always fair.But now I have questionsabout your justice.Why is life easy for sinners?Why are they successful?
2 You plant them like trees;you let them prosperand produce fruit.Yet even when they praise you,they don't mean it.
3 But you know, Lord,how faithful I've always been,even in my thoughts.So drag my enemies awayand butcher them like sheep!
4 How long will the ground be dryand the pasture lands parched?The birds and animalsare dead and gone.And all this happened becausethe people are so sinful.They even boast, “God can't seethe sins we commit.”
5 Jeremiah, if you get tiredin a race against people,how can you possibly runagainst horses?If you fall in open fields,what will happen in the forestalong the River Jordan?
6 Even your own familyhas turned against you.They act friendly,but don't trust them.They're out to get you,and so is everyone else.
7 I loved my people and chose themas my very own.But now I will reject themand hand them overto their enemies.