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Yahweh, you have persuaded me, and I was persuaded.
    You are stronger than I, and have prevailed.
I have become a laughingstock all day.
    Everyone mocks me.
For as often as I speak, I cry out;
    I cry, “Violence and destruction!”
because Yahweh’s word has been made a reproach to me,
    and a derision, all day.
If I say, I will not make mention of him,
    or speak any more in his name,
then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones.
    I am weary with holding it in.
    I can’t.
10 For I have heard the defaming of many,
    “Terror on every side!
    Denounce, and we will denounce him!”
say all my familiar friends,
    those who watch for my fall.
“Perhaps he will be persuaded,
    and we will prevail against him,
    and we will take our revenge on him.”

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Jeremiah Dejected

O Lord, You have deceived me and I was deceived;
    You are stronger than I and have prevailed.
I am held in derision daily;
    everyone mocks me.
For each time I speak, I cry out;
    I cry out, “Violence and devastation,”
because to me the word of the Lord has resulted
    in reproach and derision daily.
But if I say, “I will not make mention of Him
    nor speak any more in His name,”
then His word was in my heart
    as a burning fire shut up in my bones;
and I was weary of forbearing it,
    and I could not endure it.
10 For I heard the defaming of many,
    “Terror on every side!
    Denounce him. Yes, denounce him!”
All my familiar friends
    who watch for my fall, say,
“Perhaps he will be enticed
    so that we can prevail against him,
    and we will take our revenge on him.”

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Jeremiah’s Complaint

You deceived[a](A) me, Lord, and I was deceived[b];
    you overpowered(B) me and prevailed.
I am ridiculed(C) all day long;
    everyone mocks(D) me.
Whenever I speak, I cry out
    proclaiming violence and destruction.(E)
So the word of the Lord has brought me
    insult and reproach(F) all day long.
But if I say, “I will not mention his word
    or speak anymore in his name,”(G)
his word is in my heart like a fire,(H)
    a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;(I)
    indeed, I cannot.
10 I hear many whispering,
    “Terror(J) on every side!
    Denounce(K) him! Let’s denounce him!”
All my friends(L)
    are waiting for me to slip,(M) saying,
“Perhaps he will be deceived;
    then we will prevail(N) over him
    and take our revenge(O) on him.”

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 20:7 Or persuaded
  2. Jeremiah 20:7 Or persuaded