They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
They have grown fat and sleek from their wealth. They have gone beyond even what wicked people do: they refuse to defend the innocent or give justice to orphans, yet they continue to prosper; and they won't stand up for the rights of the poor.
God is condemning wealthy leaders who have grown comfortable in their prosperity while ignoring their duty to protect and provide justice for the vulnerable and needy.
📚 Historical Context
Jeremiah was prophesying during the final decades before Babylon conquered Jerusalem (around 626-586 BC). The wealthy elite and religious leaders of Judah had become corrupt, using their positions for personal gain rather than serving God and caring for society's most vulnerable members. This neglect of justice, especially toward orphans and the poor, was a direct violation of God's law and a major reason for the coming judgment.
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