Saturday in Season after Pentecost

1Verse 1. After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, as well as the officials of Judah and the craftsmen and metalsmiths from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon, the LORD showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the LORD. 2Verse 2. One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early, but the other basket contained very poor figs, so bad they could not be eaten. 3Verse 3. “Jeremiah,” the LORD asked, “what do you see?” “Figs!” I replied. “The good figs are very good, but the bad figs are very bad, so bad they cannot be eaten.” 4Verse 4. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 5Verse 5. “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. 6Verse 6. I will keep My eyes on them for good and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. 7Verse 7. I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart. 8Verse 8. But like the bad figs, so bad they cannot be eaten,’ says the LORD, ‘so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem— those remaining in this land and those living in the land of Egypt. 9Verse 9. I will make them a horror and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace and an object of scorn, ridicule, and cursing wherever I have banished them. 10Verse 10. And I will send against them sword and famine and plague, until they have perished from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.’”

11Verse 11. A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him. 12Verse 12. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. 13Verse 13. He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. 14Verse 14. Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. 15Verse 15. Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. 16Verse 16. A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days. 17Verse 17. A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him. 18Verse 18. He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. 19Verse 19. The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. 20Verse 20. A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished. 21Verse 21. To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. 22Verse 22. A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him. 23Verse 23. He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue. 24Verse 24. He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys. 25Verse 25. A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. 26Verse 26. He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. 27Verse 27. Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses. 28Verse 28. When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.