ירמיהו, פרק ה׳, פסוק ט׳

A rhetorical cry echoes through the prophecy, expressing the absolute impossibility that severe sins could pass without a divine response. When a nation commits great and terrible acts, the certainty of justice becomes undeniable. The message is structured as a rhetorical question filled with astonishment, repeating the same core idea to reinforce that wrongdoers cannot escape the consequences of their actions.

It is unthinkable that God would fail to pay attention to such profound evil. His divine supervision ensures that He notices everything [מצודת ציון], and from this careful attention, the punishment of those who do evil naturally follows. The clear conclusion is that it is simply impossible for God to ignore these acts and withhold punishment [רד״ק].

To reinforce the message, the thought repeats, asking whether it is not entirely fitting to take vengeance on a nation that behaves in such a corrupt manner [מצודת ציון, שטיינזלץ]. The focus remains squarely on a people who actively choose to commit such deeds [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. When describing God's personal involvement in this justice, the concept of His own soul seeking vengeance is introduced. This refers to God Himself taking action, much like an oath where God swears by His own essence [רד״ק]. Another perspective understands this personal involvement as an expression of His will, meaning that God will exact payment from the sinful nation exactly as He desires [תרגום יונתן].