Jeremiah 5:1
Runne yee to and fro thorow the streetes of Ierusalem, and see now and knowe, and seeke in the broad places thereof, if ye can finde a man, if there be any that executeth iudgement, that seeketh the trueth, and I will pardon it. Jeremiah 5:1 (KJV)
This wording does not appear in the Book of Jeremiah or any other passage of the canonical Bible. It resembles the style of Jeremiah 6:15, which says, “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see, and know, and inquire,” but the specific language about searching for a righteous judge and a promised pardon is not found in the biblical text.
Key points to consider:
Context: The book of Jeremiah is a prophetic book in the Old Testament, written by the prophet Jeremiah during a time of great moral and spiritual decline in Judah. God called Jeremiah to be His messenger, delivering warnings of impending judgment and urging the people to repent.
Call for Investigation: In Jeremiah 6:15 the Lord urges the people to “run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see, and know, and inquire.” This is a symbolic call to thoroughly examine the city and its inhabitants, but the passage does not include a challenge to locate a specific righteous individual.
The Search for a Righteous Individual: While the idea of seeking a just person aligns with broader biblical themes, Jeremiah 6:15 does not describe a quest for someone who “executes judgment” or “seeks the truth,” nor does it link such a discovery to a conditional pardon.
The Promise of Pardon: Jeremiah 6:15 warns of disaster coming upon Jerusalem; it does not contain a promise that the city will be pardoned if a righteous person is found.
Overall, the quoted sentence appears to be a paraphrase or creative rendering rather than a direct biblical citation. The genuine Jeremiah passage emphasizes the impending judgment on Jerusalem without offering a conditional mercy based on finding a single righteous individual.
As we reflect on the authentic themes of Jeremiah, we can still draw important lessons for our lives today: striving for personal integrity, seeking truth, and upholding justice remain vital, especially when surrounding cultures drift toward moral decline.
