Jeremiah 20:9-16

New International Version

⁹But if I say, “I will not mention his word
    or speak anymore in his name,”^(A)
his word is in my heart like a fire,^(B)
    a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;^(C)
    indeed, I cannot.
¹⁰I hear many whispering,
    “Terror^(D) on every side!
    Denounce^(E) him! Let’s denounce him!”
All my friends^(F)
    are waiting for me to slip,^(G) saying,
“Perhaps he will be deceived;
    then we will prevail^(H) over him
    and take our revenge^(I) on him.”

¹¹But the Lord^(J) is with me like a mighty warrior;
    so my persecutors^(K) will stumble and not prevail.^(L)
They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced;^(M)
    their dishonor will never be forgotten.
¹²Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous
    and probe the heart and mind,^(N)
let me see your vengeance^(O) on them,
    for to you I have committed^(P) my cause.

¹³Sing^(Q) to the Lord!
Give praise to the Lord!
He rescues^(R) the life of the needy
from the hands of the wicked.^(S)

¹⁴Cursed be the day I was born!^(T)
    May the day my mother bore me not be blessed!
¹⁵Cursed be the man who brought my father the news,
    who made him very glad, saying,
    “A child is born to you—a son!”
¹⁶May that man be like the towns^(U)
    the Lord overthrew without pity.
May he hear wailing^(V) in the morning,
    a battle cry at noon.

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Jeremiah 20:9-16

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