---
title: Jeremiah 17:5
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/jeremiah-17-5/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/jeremiah-17-5.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Jeremiah 17:5
testament: OT
section: Prophets
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Jeremiah 17:5

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> This is what the LORD says:  “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.

## NWT Wording of the Key Phrase

- NWT (2013 revision): "This is what Jehovah says: 'Cursed is the man who puts his trust in mere humans, who relies on human power, and whose heart turns away from Jehovah.'"

## JW Usage

Read as a warning against trusting in worldly governments, secular authorities, or rival religious bodies — and never applied inwardly to the Watchtower's own claim to be Jehovah's sole channel of communication. When a Witness is encouraged to "trust the slave class" or to wait on Jehovah's organisation rather than independent Bible study, the verse is not allowed to interrogate that very instruction.

## Protestant Usage

Jeremiah's curse is broad: anyone who "puts his trust in mere humans" and whose "heart turns away from Jehovah." Pair the verse with Psalm 146:3 — "do not put your trust in princes" — and ask the gentle question: whatever organisation a person is in, does it ask them to trust an institutional voice in a way that competes with their direct trust in Jehovah's own word? The Berean test of Acts 17:11 is the exact opposite posture: noble believers checked even the Apostle Paul against Scripture. Jeremiah 17:5 cannot be aimed only outward; the same verse asks every reader whether their functional trust is in mortal authority or in the living Word.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [The Berean Test — Scripture Is Sufficient Without an Organisation](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/berean-test-scripture-sufficiency.md) — Acts 17:11 / 2 Timothy 3:16-17 / Matthew 15:9 / 1 Corinthians 4:6 [Authority]