Jeremiah 5:1
New International Version
“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.

New Living Translation
“Run up and down every street in Jerusalem,” says the LORD. “Look high and low; search throughout the city! If you can find even one just and honest person, I will not destroy the city.

English Standard Version
Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth, that I may pardon her.

Berean Standard Bible
“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look now and take note; search her squares. If you can find a single person, anyone who acts justly, anyone who seeks the truth, then I will forgive the city.

King James Bible
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.

New King James Version
“Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; See now and know; And seek in her open places If you can find a man, If there is anyone who executes judgment, Who seeks the truth, And I will pardon her.

New American Standard Bible
“Roam about through the streets of Jerusalem, And look and take notice. And seek in her public squares, If you can find a person, If there is one who does justice, who seeks honesty, Then I will forgive her.

NASB 1995
“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.

NASB 1977
“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.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Roam to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, And see now and know, And seek in her open squares, If you can find a man, If there is one who does justice, who seeks faithfulness, Then I will pardon her.

Amplified Bible
“Roam back and forth through the streets of Jerusalem, And look now and take note. And look in her open squares To see if you can find a man [as Abraham sought in Sodom], One who is just, who [has integrity and moral courage and] seeks truth (faithfulness); Then I will pardon Jerusalem—[for the sake of one uncompromisingly righteous person].

Christian Standard Bible
Roam through the streets of Jerusalem. Investigate; search in her squares. If you find one person, any who acts justly, who pursues faithfulness, then I will forgive her.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Roam through the streets of Jerusalem. Look and take note; search in her squares. If you find one person, any who acts justly, who seeks to be faithful, then I will forgive her.

American Standard Version
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that doeth justly, that seeketh truth; and I will pardon her.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Travel around in the streets of Jerusalem and see and know and search in its broad ways. If you can find a man, if there is one that does justice and seeks faith, I shall forgive her

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Run ye about in the streets of Jerusalem, and see, and know, and seek in her broad places, if ye can find one, if there is any one that does judgment, and seeks faithfulness; and I will pardon them, saith the Lord.

Contemporary English Version
"Search Jerusalem for honest people who try to be faithful. If you can find even one, I'll forgive the whole city.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Go about through the streets of Jerusalem, and see, and consider, and seek in the broad places thereof, if you can fins a man that executeth judgement, and seeketh faith: and I will be merciful unto it.

English Revised Version
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that doeth justly, that seeketh truth; and I will pardon her.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Walk around the streets of Jerusalem. Look around, and think about these things. Search the city squares. See if you can find anyone who does what is right and seeks the truth. Then I will forgive Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
People of Jerusalem, run through your streets! Look around! See for yourselves! Search the marketplaces! Can you find one person who does what is right and tries to be faithful to God? If you can, the LORD will forgive Jerusalem.

International Standard Version
"Wander through the streets of Jerusalem. Look and investigate; search through her squares and see whether you find anyone— even one person there—doing justice and seeking truth. Then I'll forgive them.

JPS Tanakh 1917
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, And see now, and know, And seek in the broad places thereof, If ye can find a man, If there be any that doeth justly, that seeketh truth; And I will pardon her.

Literal Standard Version
“Go to and fro in streets of Jerusalem, | And see now and know, | And seek in her broad places, | If you find a man, | If there is one doing judgment, | Seeking steadfastness—Then I am propitious to her.

Majority Standard Bible
“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look now and take note; search her squares. If you can find a single person, anyone who acts justly, anyone who seeks the truth, then I will forgive the city.

New American Bible
Roam the streets of Jerusalem, look about and observe, Search through her squares, to find even one Who acts justly and seeks honesty, and I will pardon her!

NET Bible
The LORD said, "Go up and down through the streets of Jerusalem. Look around and see for yourselves. Search through its public squares. See if any of you can find a single person who deals honestly and tries to be truthful. If you can, then I will not punish this city.

New Revised Standard Version
Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look around and take note! Search its squares and see if you can find one person who acts justly and seeks truth— so that I may pardon Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
"Run back and forth through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places of it, if you can find a man, if there are any who does justly, who seeks truth; and I will pardon her.

Webster's Bible Translation
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in its broad places, if ye can find a man, if there is any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.

World English Bible
“Run back and forth through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in its wide places, if you can find a man, if there is anyone who does justly, who seeks truth, then I will pardon her.

Young's Literal Translation
Go to and fro in streets of Jerusalem, And see, I pray you, and know, And seek in her broad places, if ye find a man, If there be one doing judgment, seeking stedfastness -- Then am I propitious to her.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
No One is Just
1“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look now and take note; search her squares. If you can find a single person, anyone who acts justly, anyone who seeks the truth, then I will forgive the city. 2Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ they are swearing falsely.”…

Cross References
Genesis 18:26
So the LORD replied, "If I find fifty righteous ones within the city of Sodom, on their account I will spare the whole place."

Genesis 18:32
Finally, Abraham said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more. Suppose ten are found there?" And He answered, "On account of the ten, I will not destroy it."

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war."

Song of Solomon 3:2
I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and squares. I will seek the one I love. So I sought him but did not find him.

Jeremiah 2:29
Why do you bring a case against Me? You have all rebelled against Me," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 44:15
Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, and all the women standing by--a great assembly--along with all the people living in the land of Egypt and in Pathros, said to Jeremiah,

Ezekiel 22:30
I searched for a man among them to repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, so that I should not destroy it. But I found no one.


Treasury of Scripture

Run you to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if you can find a man, if there be any that executes judgment, that seeks the truth; and I will pardon it.

Run ye.

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

Daniel 12:4
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Joel 2:9
They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.

seek.

Proverbs 8:3
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

Song of Solomon 3:2
I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

Luke 14:21
So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

if ye can.

1 Kings 19:20
And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

Proverbs 20:6
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

Ezekiel 22:30
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

if there.

Genesis 18:23-32
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? …

Psalm 12:1
To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

Psalm 14:3
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

that seeketh.

Proverbs 2:4-6
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; …

Proverbs 23:23
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Isaiah 59:4,14,15
None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity…

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Jeremiah 5
1. The judgments of God upon the people, for their perverseness;
7. for their adultery;
10. for their impiety;
15. for their worship of idols;
19. for their contempt of God;
25. and for their great corruption in the civil state;
30. and ecclesiastical.














V.

(1) Run ye to and fro.--The dark shades of the picture seem at first hardly to belong to the reign of Josiah, which is brought before us in 2 Kings 22, 23; 2 Chronicles 34, 35, as one of thorough reformation. It is, of course, possible that parts of the picture may have been worked up when the prophecies were rewritten under Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:32); but, on the other hand, it is equally possible that the prophet may have seen even at the time how hollow and incomplete that reformation was. The form in which he utters his conviction reminds one of the old story of the Greek sage, Diogenes, appearing in the streets of Athens with a lantern, searching for an honest man. In the thought that the pardon of the city depended on its containing some elements of good which might make reformation possible, we find an echo of Genesis 18:25; but the picture is of a state more utterly hopeless. There were not ten righteous men found in Sodom (Genesis 18:32); in Jerusalem there was not one.

Verses 1-9. - Gladly would Jehovah pardon, if his people showed but a gleam of sound morality. But they are all deaf to the warning voice - the Law of God is flagrantly violated. In particular the marriage tie, as well the typical one between man and woman as the anti-typical between the people and its God, is openly disregarded (comp. Hosea 4:1; Micah 7:2; Isaiah 64:6, 7; Psalm 14:3). Verse 1. - If ye can find a man. "A man" is explained by the following clauses. It is a man whose practice and whose aims are right, of whom Jeremiah, like Diogenes with his lantern, is in search. (It is evident that the prophet speaks rhetorically, for himself and his disciples, however few, were doubtless "men" in the prophetic sense of the word.) Judgment... the truth; rather, justice... good faith, the primary virtues of civil society.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Go up and down
שׁוֹטְט֞וּ (šō·wṭ·ṭū)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7751: To push forth, to lash, to row, to travel

the streets
בְּחוּצ֣וֹת (bə·ḥū·ṣō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2351: Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors

of Jerusalem.
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

Look
וּרְאוּ־ (ū·rə·’ū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

now
נָ֤א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

and take note;
וּדְעוּ֙ (ū·ḏə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3045: To know

search
וּבַקְשׁ֣וּ (ū·ḇaq·šū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

her squares.
בִרְחוֹבוֹתֶ֔יהָ (ḇir·ḥō·w·ḇō·w·ṯe·hā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7339: A broad open place, plaza

If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you can find
תִּמְצְא֣וּ (tim·ṣə·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

a single person,
אִ֔ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

[anyone] who acts
עֹשֶׂ֥ה (‘ō·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

justly,
מִשְׁפָּ֖ט (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

[anyone] who seeks
מְבַקֵּ֣שׁ (mə·ḇaq·qêš)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

the truth,
אֱמוּנָ֑ה (’ĕ·mū·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 530: Firmness, steadfastness, fidelity

then I will forgive [the city].
וְאֶסְלַ֖ח (wə·’es·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular
Strong's 5545: To forgive, pardon


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 5:1 Run you back and forth through (Jer.)
Jeremiah 4:31
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