10 (A)Woe to me, my mother, that you have given birth to me
As a (B)man of strife and a man of contention to all the land!
I have not (C)lent, nor have people lent money to me,
Yet everyone curses me.
11 The Lord said, “I will certainly (D)set you free for purposes of good;
I will certainly make the (E)enemy plead with you
In a time of disaster and a time of distress.

12 “Can anyone smash iron,
(F)Iron from the north, or bronze?
13 I will give your (G)wealth and your treasures
As plunder (H)without cost,
For all your sins
And within all your borders.
14 Then I will make your enemies bring your possessions
Into a (I)land that you do not know;
For a (J)fire has been kindled in My anger,
And it will burn upon you.”

Jeremiah’s Prayer and God’s Answer

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

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