Jeremiah 5:9
Should I not punish them for these things?”
What it says
The LORD asks whether He should not punish such a nation for these things.
What it is doing
This verse frames judgment as moral necessity.
In context
1“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. 2Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ 3O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? 4Then I said, “They are only the poor; 5I will go to the powerful 6Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down, 7“Why should I forgive you? 8They are well-fed, lusty stallions, 9Should I not punish them for these things?” 10Go up through her vineyards and ravage them, 11For the house of Israel and the house of Judah 12They have lied about the LORD and said: 13The prophets are but wind,