Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 12:3

"But thou, O Jehovah, knowest me; thou seest me, and triest my heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter." — Jeremiah 12:3 (ASV)

You have seen me ... - Rather, "You see me and try my heart at all times, and know the sincerity of its devotion toward You."

Pull them out - The original is used (Jeremiah 10:20) of the tearing apart of the cords of the tent, and (Ezekiel 17:9) of the tearing up of roots. Jeremiah does not doubt God’s justice, or the ultimate punishment of the wicked, but he wants it administered in a summary way.

Prepare - Literally, "sanctify," that is, devote.