Jeremiah 12:4

How long shall the land mourn and the herbs of every field, of the entire cultivated plain, wither? For the wickedness of them that dwell therein the beasts are consumed and the birds, the very irrational brutes being placed under the ban of Jehovah on account of the hypocrisy of their masters, because they said, He shall not see our last end, the wicked Jews trying to persuade themselves that the Lord is blind toward their wickedness, that they may pursue their ungodly ways without interference, safe from the calamity which Jeremiah had threatened. But the Lord answers in such a way as to rebuke the prophet in a gentle manner for the impatience displayed by him, at the same time pointing out that he is due to experience still greater tribulations.