Jeremiah 17:11 — English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website
Some people get rich in the wrong way. They are like a partridge that hatches eggs it didn't lay. When their lives are half over, their riches will desert them. In the end they will prove how foolish they have been.
What Does This Mean?
This verse from Jeremiah compares someone who gains wealth unjustly to a partridge that sits on eggs but doesn't hatch them. It means that such a person will lose their riches before their time and be seen as foolish.
Explained for Children
Imagine you find a bird's nest with eggs but can't make the eggs hatch. It's like finding money but not knowing how to keep it. Jeremiah says, if you get money the wrong way, you'll lose it and be seen as silly.
Historical Background
Jeremiah, a prophet of Israel, wrote this in the late 7th to early 6th century BC. He was addressing the people of Judah, warning them about the consequences of unjust actions and the fleeting nature of wealth.
Living It Out Today
Think of someone who gets a big inheritance but doesn't know how to manage it and ends up losing it all. This verse reminds us that wealth gained through wrong means is not sustainable and can lead to regret.