Jeremiah 17:5-10
Chapter 17
5
This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings and relies on a mortal for his life, while his heart is turned away from the Lord!
6
He is like a bunch of thistles in dry land, in parched desert places, in salt land, where no one lives and who never finds happiness.
7
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has confidence in him!
8
He is like a tree planted by the water, sending its roots toward the stream. He has no fear when the heat comes; his leaves are always green. The year of drought is no problem, and he can always bear fruit.
9
The heart is the most deceitful. Who can understand what is within man and examine the mind?
10
I, the Lord, search the heart I reward each person based on their ways and the fruit of their deeds.
Commentaries
Sins and Punishment of Judah.
The condemnation of Judah’s sins and the declaration of their deserved punishment (1-4) are followed by a mention of a curse aimed at those who turn away from the Lord (5ff) and a blessing, or beatitude, for those who stay loyal, always trusting in the Lord (7ff). Verses 9-13 serve as a kind of wisdom reflection that encourages remaining faithful and trusting only in God.