Jeremiah 22:15-16 - Compare All Versions
Jeremiah 22:15-16 NIV (New International Version)
“Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 22:15-16 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)
Do you think you are a king because you compete in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me? declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 22:15-16 NLT (New Living Translation)
But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king! Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink. But he was just and right in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him. He gave justice and help to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him. Isn’t that what it means to know me?” says the LORD.
Jeremiah 22:15-16 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Are you a king because you excel in cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink and administer justice and righteousness? Then it went well with him. He took up the case of the poor and needy; then it went well. Is this not what it means to know me? This is the LORD’s declaration.
Jeremiah 22:15-16 KJV (King James Version)
Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him? He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 22:15-16 NKJV (New King James Version)
“Shall you reign because you enclose yourself in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink, And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He judged the cause of the poor and needy; Then it was well. Was not this knowing Me?” says the LORD.
Jeremiah 22:13-17 MSG (The Message)
“Doom to him who builds palaces but bullies people, who makes a fine house but destroys lives, Who cheats his workers and won’t pay them for their work, Who says, ‘I’ll build me an elaborate mansion with spacious rooms and fancy windows. I’ll bring in rare and expensive woods and the latest in interior decor.’ So, that makes you a king— living in a fancy palace? Your father got along just fine, didn’t he? He did what was right and treated people fairly, And things went well with him. He stuck up for the down-and-out, And things went well for Judah. Isn’t this what it means to know me?” GOD’s Decree! “But you’re blind and brainless. All you think about is yourself, Taking advantage of the weak, bulldozing your way, bullying victims.”
Jeremiah 22:15-16 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)
“Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did your father not eat and drink And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well for him. “He pled the cause of the afflicted and the poor, Then it was well. Is that not what it means to know Me?” Declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 22:15-16 AMP (Amplified Bible)
“Do you think that you become a king because you have much more cedar [in your palace than Solomon]? Did not your father [Josiah], as he ate and drank, Do just and righteous acts [being upright and in right standing with God]? Then all was well with him. “He defended the cause of the afflicted and needy; Then all was well. Is that not what it means to know Me?” Says the LORD.
Jeremiah 22:15-16 NET (New English Translation)
Does it make you any more of a king that you outstrip everyone else in building with cedar? Just think about your father. He was content that he had food and drink. He did what was just and right. So things went well with him. He upheld the cause of the poor and needy. So things went well for Judah.’ The LORD says, ‘That is a good example of what it means to know me.’