John Trapp on Jeremiah 4:22

Ver. 22. For my people is fooliſh, they have not known me] To know and to worſhip God aright, is the only true wiſdom, ſaith Lactantius. Lib. 3. cap. 30.

They are wiſe to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge] In terrenis Lyncei, in coeleſtibus talpae. Wiſe the wicked are in their generation, ſubtil and ſlye: but ſo is the Serpent, or the Fox: the Swine that wandereth can make better ſhift to get home then the Sheep can to the fold. They have received the ſpirit of this world, 1. Cor. 2.12. the Devil alſo worketh effectually in them, as a Smith in his forge, Epheſ. 2.2. Hence they are wiſe to do evil. Elymas was a vere ſubtle fellow, but the Devils child; and ſo the more dangerous, Acts 13.10. Magnum ingenium & magna tentatio, ſaith Vincentius Lirinenſes concerning Origen, who had a great wit, but proved a great ſcandal to the Church. The Devil covets to be adorned by thee, ſaid Auſtin to one that was wittily wicked. Surely as Jet gathereth droſſe and refuſe things to it ſelf, but lets go gold and precious things: ſo do the Worlds wiſards.