Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “’How can you say, “We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD,” when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely? New Living Translation “‘How can you say, “We are wise because we have the word of the LORD,” when your teachers have twisted it by writing lies? English Standard Version “How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes has made it into a lie. Berean Standard Bible How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception? King James Bible How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. New King James Version “How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the LORD is with us’? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood. New American Standard Bible “How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the Law of the LORD is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes Has made it into a lie. NASB 1995 “How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the LORD is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes Has made it into a lie. NASB 1977 “How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the LORD is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes Has made it into a lie. Legacy Standard Bible “How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of Yahweh is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes Has made it into a lie. Amplified Bible “How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the LORD is with us [and we are learned in its language and teachings]’? Behold, [the truth is that] the lying pen of the scribes Has made the law into a lie [a mere code of ceremonial observances]. Christian Standard Bible “How can you claim, ‘We are wise; the law of the LORD is with us’? In fact, the lying pen of scribes has produced falsehood. Holman Christian Standard Bible “How can you claim, ‘We are wise; the law of the LORD is with us? In fact, the lying pen of scribes has produced falsehood. American Standard Version How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of Jehovah is with us? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes hath wrought falsely. Contemporary English Version You say, "We are wise because we have the teachings and laws of the LORD." But I say that your teachers have turned my words into lies! English Revised Version How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes hath wrought falsely. GOD'S WORD® Translation " 'How can you say that you are wise and that you have the LORD's teachings? The scribes have used their pens to turn these teachings into lies. Good News Translation How can you say that you are wise and that you know my laws? Look, the laws have been changed by dishonest scribes. International Standard Version How can you say, 'We're wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,' when, in fact, the deceitful pen of the scribe has made it into something that deceives. Majority Standard Bible How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception? NET Bible How can you say, "We are wise! We have the law of the LORD"? The truth is, those who teach it have used their writings to make it say what it does not really mean. New Heart English Bible How can you say, "We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us?" But, look, the false pen of the scribes has worked falsely. Webster's Bible Translation How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain he hath made it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. World English Bible “‘How do you say, “We are wise, and Yahweh’s law is with us?” But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has made that a lie. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHow do you say, We [are] wise, "" And the Law of YHWH [is] with us? Surely, behold, it has worked falsely, "" The false pen of scribes. Young's Literal Translation How do ye say, We are wise, And the law of Jehovah is with us? Surely, lo, falsely it hath wrought, The false pen of scribes. Smith's Literal Translation How shall ye say, We are wise, and the law of Jehovah with us? Behold, surely for falsehood he made the style of the scribes a lie. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHow do you say: We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? Indeed the lying pen of the scribes hath wrought falsehood. Catholic Public Domain Version How can you say: ‘We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us?’ Truly, the lying pen of the scribes has wrought falsehood. New American Bible How can you say, “We are wise, we have the law of the LORD”? See, that has been changed into falsehood by the lying pen of the scribes! New Revised Standard Version How can you say, “We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us,” when, in fact, the false pen of the scribes has made it into a lie? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHow do you say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, surely the lying pen of the scribes has made it for falsehood. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated How do you say: ‘We are wise and the Law of LORD JEHOVAH is with us?’ Truly the lying pen of the Scribes is made for falsehood! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917How do ye say: 'We are wise, And the Law of the LORD is with us'? Lo, certainly in vain hath wrought The vain pen of the scribes. Brenton Septuagint Translation How will ye say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? In vain have the scribes used a false pen. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Judah's Sin and Punishment…7Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD. 8How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception? 9The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?… Cross References Matthew 15:3-9 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? / For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ / But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ ... Romans 2:17-24 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; / if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; / if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, ... Mark 7:6-13 Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ / You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men.” ... John 5:39-40 You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, / yet you refuse to come to Me to have life. Isaiah 29:13 Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. Ezekiel 33:31-32 So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. / Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice. Hosea 8:12 Though I wrote for them the great things of My law, they regarded them as something strange. Micah 3:11 Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” Matthew 23:23-28 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. / You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ... Luke 11:52 Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” 2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! 2 Corinthians 3:14-15 But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. Romans 3:19-20 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. / Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. Galatians 3:10 All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Psalm 119:126 It is time for the LORD to act, for they have broken Your law. Treasury of Scripture How do you say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? See, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. We. Job 5:12,13 He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise… Job 11:12 For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt. Job 12:20 He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged. the law. Psalm 147:19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. Hosea 8:12 I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. lo. Matthew 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. in vain. Proverbs 17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. Isaiah 10:1,2 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; … Jump to Previous Actually Falsehood Falsely Handled Law Pen Scribes Surely Vain Wise Worked WroughtJump to Next Actually Falsehood Falsely Handled Law Pen Scribes Surely Vain Wise Worked WroughtJeremiah 8 1. The calamity of the Jews, both dead and alive.4. He upbraids their foolish and shameless impenitency. 13. He shows their grievous judgment; 18. and bewails their desperate estate. How can you say This phrase challenges the self-perception and self-deception of the people. In Hebrew, the word for "say" (אָמַר, 'amar) often implies not just speaking but also thinking or believing. The rhetorical question exposes the disconnect between their self-assessment and reality. It invites reflection on the authenticity of one's claims about spiritual wisdom and understanding. We are wise and the law of the LORD is with us But in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception Lo, certainly . . .--Better, Verily, lo! the lying pen of the scribes hath made it (i.e., the Law) as a lie. The pen was the iron stylus made for engraving on stone or metal. The meaning of the clause is clear. The sophistry of men was turning the truth of God into a lie, and emptying it of its noblest meaning. Already, as in other things, so here, in his protest against the teaching of the scribes, with their traditional and misleading casuistry, Jeremiah appears as foreshadowing the prophet of Nazareth (Matthew 5:20-48; Matthew 23:2-26). Verse 8. - How do ye say, We are wise? Jeremiah is evidently addressing the priests and the prophets, whom he so constantly described as among the chief causes of Judah's ruin (comp. Ver. 10; Jeremiah 2:8, 26; Jeremiah 4:9; Jeremiah 5:31), and who, in Isaiah's day, regarded it as an unwarrantable assumption on the part of that prophet to pretend to instruct them in their duty (Isaiah 28:9). The law of the Lord is with us. "With us;" i.e. in our hands and mouths. (comp. Psalm 1:16). The word torah, commonly rendered" Law," is ambiguous, and a difference of opinion as to the meaning of this verse is inevitable. Some think these self-styled "wise" men reject Jeremiah's counsels on the ground that they already have the divinely given Law in a written form (comp. Romans 2:17-20), and that the Divine revelation is complete. Others that torah here, as often elsewhere in the prophets (e.g. Isaiah 1:10; Isaiah 8:16; Isaiah 42:4), simply means "instruction," or "direction," and describes the authoritative counsel given orally by the priests (Deuteronomy 17:11) and prophets to those who consulted them on points of ritual and practice respectively. The usage of Jeremiah himself favors the latter view (see Jeremiah 2:8; Jeremiah 18:18; and especially Jeremiah 26:4, 5, where "to walk in my Torah" is parallel to "to hearken to the words of my servants the prophets." The context equally points in this direction. The most natural interpretation, then, is this: The opponents of Jeremiah bade him keep his exhortations to himself, seeing that they themselves were wise and the divinely appointed teachers of the people. To this Jeremiah replies, not (as the Authorized Version renders) Lo, certainly in vain made he it, etc.; but, Yea, behold I for a lie hath it wrought - the lying pen of the scribes (so Authorized Version, margin). Soferim (scribes) is the term proper to all those who practiced the art of writing (sefer); it included, therefore, presumably at least, most, if not all, of the priests and prophets of whom Jeremiah speaks. There are indications enough that the Hebrew literature was not entirely confined to those whom we look up to as the inspired writers, and it is perfectly credible that the formalist priests and false prophets should have availed themselves of the pen as a means of giving greater currency to their teaching. Jeremiah warns his hearers to distrust a literature which is in the set-vice of false religious principles - a warning which prophets in the wider sense of the term ('The Liberty of Prophesyings') still have but too much occasion to repeat, tit is right, however, to mention another grammatically possible rendering, which is adopted by those who suppose torah in the preceding clause to mean the Mosaic Law: "Yea, behold, the lying pen of the scribes hath made (it) into a lie;" i.e. the professional interpreters of the Scriptures called scribes have, by their groundless comments and inferences, made the Scriptures (especially the noblest part, the Law) into a lie, so that it has ceased to represent the Divine will and teaching. The objections to this are:(1) the necessity of supplying an object to the verb - the object would hardly have been omitted where its emission renders the meaning of the clause so doubtful; (2) that this view attributes to the word soferim a meaning which only became prevalent in the time of Ezra (comp. Ezra 7:6, 11).] Hebrew Howאֵיכָ֤ה (’ê·ḵāh) Interjection Strong's 349: How?, how!, where can you say, תֹֽאמְרוּ֙ (ṯō·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘We אֲנַ֔חְנוּ (’ă·naḥ·nū) Pronoun - first person common plural Strong's 587: We are wise, חֲכָמִ֣ים (ḥă·ḵā·mîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 2450: Wise and the law וְתוֹרַ֥ת (wə·ṯō·w·raṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law of the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel is with us?’ אִתָּ֑נוּ (’it·tā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among But in fact, אָכֵן֙ (’ā·ḵên) Adverb Strong's 403: Firmly, surely, but the lying לַשֶּׁ֣קֶר (laš·še·qer) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood pen עֵ֖ט (‘êṭ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5842: A stylus, marking stick of the scribes סֹפְרִֽים׃ (sō·p̄ə·rîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate has produced עָשָׂ֔ה (‘ā·śāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make a deception. שֶׁ֥קֶר (še·qer) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood Links Jeremiah 8:8 NIVJeremiah 8:8 NLT Jeremiah 8:8 ESV Jeremiah 8:8 NASB Jeremiah 8:8 KJV Jeremiah 8:8 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 8:8 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 8:8 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 8:8 French Bible Jeremiah 8:8 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 8:8 How do you say We are wise (Jer.) |
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