2 And though they say, The Lord liveth; surely they swear falsely.
2 Although they say, 'As surely as the Lord lives,' still they are swearing falsely."
2 Though they say, "As the Lord lives," yet they swear falsely.
2 "But if all they do is say, 'As sure as God lives . . . ' they're nothing but a bunch of liars."
2 Though they say, 'As the Lord lives,' Surely they swear falsely."
2 But even when they are under oath, saying, 'As surely as the Lord lives,' they are still telling lies!"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:2
Commentary on Jeremiah 5:1-9
(Read Jeremiah 5:1-9)
None could be found who behaved as upright and godly men. But the Lord saw the true character of the people through all their disguises. The poor were ignorant, and therefore they were wicked. What can be expected but works of darkness, from people that know nothing of God and religion? There are God's poor, who, notwithstanding poverty, know the way of the Lord, walk in it, and do their duty; but these were willingly ignorant, and their ignorance would not be their excuse. The rich were insolent and haughty, and the abuse of God's favours made their sin worse.