Jeremiah 5:4 nasb — Then I said, "They are only the poor, They are foolish; For they do not know the way of the LORD Or the ordinance of th…

NASB

"Then I said, "They are only the poor, They are foolish; For they do not know the way of the LORD Or the ordinance of their God."

— Jeremiah 5:4, NASB

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Jeremiah 5:4 in Other Translations

7 versions All translations

Jeremiah 5 — Context

1

"Roam to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, And look now and take note. And seek in her open squares, If you can find a man, If there is one who does justice, who seeks truth, Then I will pardon her.

2

"And although they say, 'As the LORD lives,' Surely they swear falsely."

3

O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You have smitten them, But they did not weaken; You have consumed them, But they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; They have refused to repent.

4

Then I said, "They are only the poor, They are foolish; For they do not know the way of the LORD Or the ordinance of their God.

5

"I will go to the great And will speak to them, For they know the way of the LORD And the ordinance of their God." But they too, with one accord, have broken the yoke And burst the bonds.

6

Therefore a lion from the forest will slay them, A wolf of the deserts will destroy them, A leopard is watching their cities. Everyone who goes out of them will be torn in pieces, Because their transgressions are many, Their apostasies are numerous.

7

"Why should I pardon you? Your sons have forsaken Me And sworn by those who are not gods. When I had fed them to the full, They committed adultery And trooped to the harlot's house.

Jeremiah 5:4 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Jeremiah 5:4 say?
Jeremiah 5:4 in the NASB reads: “Then I said, "They are only the poor, They are foolish; For they do not know the way of the LORD Or the ordinance of their God.”
Where is Jeremiah 5:4 in the Bible?
Jeremiah 5:4 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Jeremiah, chapter 5, verse 4.
Who wrote Jeremiah?
Jeremiah is traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, with scribal help from Baruch. It was written c. 627–580 BC.
What is the book of Jeremiah about?
Jeremiah, the "weeping prophet," ministered through Judah's slow-motion collapse — pleading with kings and people to repent, suffering imprisonment for his message, and ultimately watching Jerusalem fall. Yet in the midst of judgment he promises a new covenant written on the heart.
What are the major themes of Jeremiah?
Jeremiah explores themes including Judgment, Repentance, New Covenant, Suffering Prophet, Hope. These themes shape the meaning and context of Jeremiah 5:4.
What translation should I read Jeremiah 5:4 in?
Jeremiah 5:4 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Jeremiah 5:4?
Jeremiah 5:4 reads (NASB): “Then I said, "They are only the poor, They are foolish; For they do not know the way of the LORD Or the ordinance of their God.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
GodsGoodBook logo

GodsGoodBook

Making God's Word accessible to everyone

Experience the Bible like never before with multiple translations, powerful search tools, and features to make God's Word personal to you. Completely free, forever.

Features

15+ Bible Translations
Powerful Search Tools
Highlight & Annotate
Share Verses
100% Free Forever
© 2025 GodsGoodBookVersion 1.8.2