Jeremiah 4:22
New International Version
“My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.”

New Living Translation
“My people are foolish and do not know me,” says the LORD. “They are stupid children who have no understanding. They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right!”

English Standard Version
“For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not.”

Berean Standard Bible
“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”

King James Bible
For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

New King James Version
“For My people are foolish, They have not known Me. They are silly children, And they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, But to do good they have no knowledge.”

New American Standard Bible
“For My people are foolish, They do not know Me; They are foolish children And have no understanding. They are skillful at doing evil, But they do not know how to do good.”

NASB 1995
“For My people are foolish, They know Me not; They are stupid children And have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, But to do good they do not know.”

NASB 1977
“For My people are foolish, They know Me not; They are stupid children, And they have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, But to do good they do not know.”

Legacy Standard Bible
“For My people are ignorant fools, They know Me not; They are simpleminded children And have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, But to do good they do not know.”

Amplified Bible
“For My people are stupid and foolish,” [says the LORD to Jeremiah]; “They do not know Me; They are foolish children And have no understanding. They are shrewd [enough] to do evil, But they do not know [how] to do good.”

Christian Standard Bible
“For my people are fools; they do not know me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing what is evil, but they do not know how to do what is good.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“For My people are fools; they do not know Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing what is evil, but they do not know how to do what is good.”

American Standard Version
For my people are foolish, they know me not; they are sottish children, and they have no understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

Contemporary English Version
I heard the LORD say, "My people ignore me. They are foolish children who do not understand that they will be punished. All they know is how to sin."

English Revised Version
For my people is foolish, they know me not; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"My people are fools. They don't know me. They are stupid people. They don't understand. They are experts in doing wrong, and they don't know how to do good."

Good News Translation
The LORD says, "My people are stupid; they don't know me. They are like foolish children; they have no understanding. They are experts at doing what is evil, but failures at doing what is good."

International Standard Version
"For my people are foolish, they don't know me. They're stupid children, they have no understanding. They're skilled at doing evil, but how to do good, they don't know."

Majority Standard Bible
“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”

NET Bible
The LORD answered, "This will happen because my people are foolish. They do not know me. They are like children who have no sense. They have no understanding. They are skilled at doing evil. They do not know how to do good."

New Heart English Bible
"For my people are foolish, they do not know me. They are foolish children, and they have no understanding. They are skillful in doing evil, but to do good they have no knowledge."

Webster's Bible Translation
For my people are foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have no understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

World English Bible
“For my people are foolish. They don’t know me. They are foolish children, and they have no understanding. They are skillful in doing evil, but they don’t know how to do good.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“For My people [are] foolish, "" They have not known Me, "" They [are] foolish sons, "" Indeed, they [are] not intelligent, "" They [are] wise to do evil, "" And they have not known to do good.”

Young's Literal Translation
For my people are foolish, me they have not known, Foolish sons are they, yea, they are not intelligent, Wise are they to do evil, And to do good they have not known.

Smith's Literal Translation
For my people are foolish, they knew me not; foolish sons are they and they not understanding; wise are they to do evil, and to do good they knew not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For my foolish people have not known me: they are foolish and senseless children: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For my foolish people have not known me. They are foolish and mad sons. They are clever in doing evil, but they do not know how to do good.

New American Bible
My people are fools, they do not know me; They are senseless children, without understanding; They are wise at evil, but they do not know how to do good.

New Revised Standard Version
“For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For my people are foolish; they have not known me; they are stupid children, and they have no understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because my people are insane and they have not known me. They are foolish children and they have not been wise. They are wise for evil and they do not know good
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For My people is foolish, They know Me not; They are sottish children, And they have no understanding; They are wise to do evil, But to do good they have no knowledge.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the princes of my people have not known me, they are foolish and unwise children: they are wise to do evil, but how to do good they have not known.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Lamentation for Judah
21How long must I see the signal flag and hear the sound of the horn? 22“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.” 23I looked at the earth, and it was formless and void; I looked to the heavens, and they had no light.…

Cross References
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

Isaiah 1:3
The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”

Romans 1:21-22
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Isaiah 5:13
Therefore My people will go into exile for their lack of understanding; their dignitaries are starving and their masses are parched with thirst.

1 Corinthians 1:18-21
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. / For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ...

Deuteronomy 32:28-29
Israel is a nation devoid of counsel, with no understanding among them. / If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Isaiah 44:18-19
They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. / And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”

2 Timothy 3:7
who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Psalm 14:2-3
The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. / All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Ephesians 4:18
They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.

Isaiah 27:11
When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.

2 Peter 3:5
But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water,

Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.


Treasury of Scripture

For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are silly children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

For my.

Jeremiah 5:4,21
Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God…

Jeremiah 8:7-9
Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD…

Deuteronomy 32:6,28
Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? …

they have.

Hosea 5:4
They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.

John 16:3
And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

Romans 1:28
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

they are wise.

2 Samuel 13:3
But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

2 Samuel 16:21-23
And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong…

Micah 2:1
Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.

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Jeremiah 4
1. God calls Israel by his promise
3. He exhorts Judah to repentance by fearful judgments
19. A grievous lamentation for Judah














For My people
The phrase "For My people" indicates a personal relationship between God and the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "people" is "עַם" (am), which signifies a collective group that belongs to God. This highlights the covenant relationship established between God and Israel, emphasizing that despite their waywardness, they are still considered His people. This relationship is foundational to understanding the gravity of their rebellion and the depth of God's disappointment.

are fools
The term "fools" is translated from the Hebrew word "אֱוִילִים" (ewilim), which implies not just a lack of intelligence but a moral deficiency. In the biblical context, foolishness is often associated with a rejection of God's wisdom and a preference for one's own understanding. This is a severe indictment, as it suggests that the people have willfully turned away from the wisdom and guidance that God offers.

they have not known Me
The phrase "they have not known Me" underscores a failure in relational knowledge. The Hebrew word "יָדַע" (yada) means to know intimately or experientially. This is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment but a deep, personal relationship. The Israelites' failure to know God in this way is a central theme in the prophetic literature, highlighting their spiritual adultery and the resulting consequences.

They are foolish children
"Foolish children" combines the idea of immaturity with moral folly. The Hebrew word for "children" is "בָּנִים" (banim), which can denote dependency and a need for guidance. This phrase suggests that the Israelites, despite being God's chosen people, have not matured in their faith and understanding. They are like children who have not learned from their Father, which is a poignant image of their spiritual state.

without understanding
The phrase "without understanding" is translated from the Hebrew "אֵין בִּינָה" (ein binah), indicating a lack of discernment or insight. In the biblical context, understanding is often linked with wisdom and the fear of the Lord. This lack of understanding is not due to an absence of information but a refusal to apply God's truth to their lives, leading to poor moral and spiritual decisions.

They are skilled in doing evil
"Skilled in doing evil" is a tragic irony. The Hebrew word "חֲכָמִים" (chachamim) typically means wise or skillful, but here it is used to describe proficiency in wrongdoing. This suggests that the people have invested time and effort into perfecting their sinful behaviors, which is a stark contrast to their lack of understanding in doing good. It highlights the perversion of their talents and abilities.

but they do not know how to do good
The phrase "they do not know how to do good" reflects a complete moral and spiritual inversion. The Hebrew word for "good" is "טוֹב" (tov), which encompasses what is beneficial, righteous, and in alignment with God's will. The inability to do good is not due to ignorance but a deliberate choice to reject God's ways. This is a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from divine instruction and the natural inclination towards sin when separated from God.

(22) For my people is foolish.--Jehovah answers the prophet's question. The misery comes to punish the folly and sottishness of the people. It shall last as long as they last, or till it has accomplished its work of chastisement.

Verse 22. - For my people is foolish. The Lord gives no direct answer to the complaining question in ver. 21. He simply states the moral ground for Judah's calamity, and implies that this will last so long as the people continue to be "foolish," i.e. virtual deniers of the true God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“For
כִּ֣י ׀ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

My people
עַמִּ֗י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

are fools;
אֱוִ֣יל (’ĕ·wîl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 191: Foolish

they have not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

known Me.
יָדָ֔עוּ (yā·ḏā·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

They
הֵ֔מָּה (hêm·māh)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

are foolish
סְכָלִים֙ (sə·ḵā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5530: A fool

children,
בָּנִ֤ים (bā·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

without
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

understanding.
נְבוֹנִ֖ים (nə·ḇō·w·nîm)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

They
הֵ֑מָּה (hêm·māh)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

are skilled
חֲכָמִ֥ים (ḥă·ḵā·mîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2450: Wise

in doing evil,
לְהָרַ֔ע (lə·hā·ra‘)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7489: To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad

but they do not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
יָדָֽעוּ׃ (yā·ḏā·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

how to do good.”
וּלְהֵיטִ֖יב (ū·lə·hê·ṭîḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 4:22 For my people are foolish they don't (Jer.)
Jeremiah 4:21
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