Jeremiah’s Prayer and God’s Answer

15 (A)You know, Lord;
Remember me, take notice of me,
And (B)take vengeance for me on my persecutors.
Do not, in view of Your patience, take me away;
Know that (C)for Your sake I endure reproach.
16 Your words were found and I (D)ate them,
And Your (E)words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart;
For I have been (F)called by Your name,
Lord God of armies.
17 I (G)did not sit in a circle of revelers and celebrate.
Because of Your hand upon me I sat (H)alone,
For You (I)filled me with indignation.
18 Why has my pain been endless
And my (J)wound incurable, refusing to be healed?
Will You indeed be to me (K)like a deceptive stream
With water that is unreliable?

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15 You who know, O Yahweh, remember me, and attend to me,
    and take revenge for me against my persecutors in your forbearance.[a]
You must take me away.
    Know that I am carrying disgrace because of you.
16 Your words were found and I ate them,
    and your words became to me as jubilation,
even as the joy of my heart,
    for your name is called on me, O Yahweh God of hosts.
17 I sat not in the assembly of jokers,
    nor did I exult.
Because of the presence[b] of your hand I sat alone,
    for you filled me with indignation.
18 Why is my pain endless, and my wound incurable?
    It refuses to become healed.
Truly you are to me like a deceitful brook,
    waters that are not trustworthy.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 15:15 Literally “in the length of your nose”
  2. Jeremiah 15:17 Literally “face”

15 Lord, you understand;
    remember me and care for me.
    Avenge me on my persecutors.(A)
You are long-suffering(B)—do not take me away;
    think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.(C)
16 When your words came, I ate(D) them;
    they were my joy and my heart’s delight,(E)
for I bear your name,(F)
    Lord God Almighty.
17 I never sat(G) in the company of revelers,
    never made merry with them;
I sat alone because your hand(H) was on me
    and you had filled me with indignation.
18 Why is my pain unending
    and my wound grievous and incurable?(I)
You are to me like a deceptive brook,
    like a spring that fails.(J)

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