1Righteous are You, O YHWH, when I contend with You; yet judgments (mishpat) I will speak with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are all the treacherous at ease?
2You have planted them, also they have taken root; they go on, also they make fruit; You are near in their mouth, but far from their kidneys.
3But You, O YHWH, know me; You see me, and You test my heart toward You. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter.
4How long shall the land mourn, and the herb of every field wither? Because of the evil of those who dwell in it, beast and bird are swept away; for they said: He will not see our end.
5For if with footmen you have run, and they have wearied you, then how will you contend with horses? And in a land of peace you are secure—then how will you do in the thickets of the Jordan?
6For even your brothers and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; even they have called aloud after you. Do not trust in them when they speak good things to you.
7I have forsaken My house, I have abandoned My inheritance; I have given the beloved of My soul (nephesh) into the hand of her enemies.
8My inheritance has become to Me like a lion in the forest; she has given forth her voice against Me; therefore I have hated her.
9Is My inheritance to Me a speckled bird of prey, with the birds of prey against her round about? Go, gather all the beasts of the field, bring them to devour.
10Many shepherds have ruined My vineyard, they have trodden down My portion; they have made My pleasant portion into a desolate wilderness.
11He has made it a desolation; it mourns to Me, desolate; the whole land is made desolate, for no man (ish) lays it to heart.
12Upon all the bare heights in the wilderness spoilers have come; for the sword of YHWH devours from one end of the land to the other end of the land; there is no peace for all flesh (basar).
13They have sown wheat and reaped thorns; they have worn themselves out, they do not profit; and be ashamed of your produce, because of the fierce anger of YHWH.
14Thus says YHWH: Concerning all My evil neighbors, who touch the inheritance which I caused My people Israel to inherit—behold, I am plucking them up from upon their ground (adamah), and the house of Judah I will pluck up from among them.
15And it shall come to pass, after I have plucked them up, I will turn back and have compassion on them, and I will bring them back, each man (ish) to his inheritance and each man (ish) to his land.
16And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, As YHWH lives (chai)—just as they taught My people to swear by Baal—then they shall be built up in the midst of My people.
17But if they will not hear, then I will pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying, declares YHWH.