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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 Compelled to Preach

You deceived(A) me, Lord, and I was deceived.
You seized me and prevailed.
I am a laughingstock all the time;(B)
everyone ridicules me.
For whenever I speak, I cry out,
I proclaim, “Violence and destruction!” (C)
so the word of the Lord has become my
constant disgrace and derision.
I say, “I won’t mention him
or speak any longer in his name.”(D)
But his message becomes a fire burning in my heart,(E)
shut up in my bones.
I become tired of holding it in,(F)
and I cannot prevail.
10 For I have heard the gossip of many people,
“Terror is on every side!(G)
Report him; let’s report him!”
Everyone I trusted[a] watches for my fall.(H)
“Perhaps he will be deceived
so that we might prevail against him
and take our vengeance on him.”

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Footnotes

  1. 20:10 Lit Every man of my peace