Jeremiah 12:3

But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

Ver. 3. But thou, Lord, knowest me, &c., ] q.d., I can safely appeal unto thee, and take thee for a witness of mine innocence and integrity, that I have thee not in my mouth only, as they, but in my heart also, which is wholly devoted to thy fear, ut sit tecum, hanging toward thee, and hankering after thee continually. a

Pull them out as sheep.] Punish some of them presently for an example of thy providence, and reserve others of them till hereafter for an instance of thy patience. See Jeremiah 11:20 .

Prepare them.] Heb., Sanctify them. as Isaiah 13:3 ; Isa 6:7 Fatted ware is but fitted for the shambles.

a Tremellius.