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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’s Unpopular Ministry

O Lord, You [a]induced me, and I was persuaded;
(A)You are stronger than I, and have prevailed.
(B)I am [b]in derision daily;
Everyone mocks me.
For when I spoke, I cried out;
(C)I shouted, “Violence and plunder!”
Because the word of the Lord was made to me
A reproach and a derision daily.
Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him,
Nor speak anymore in His name.”
But His word was in my heart like a (D)burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And (E)I could not.
10 (F)For I heard many [c]mocking:
“Fear on every side!”
“Report,” they say, “and we will report it!”
(G)All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling, saying,
“Perhaps he can be induced;
Then we will prevail against him,
And we will take our revenge on him.”

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 20:7 enticed or persuaded
  2. Jeremiah 20:7 Lit. a laughingstock all the day
  3. Jeremiah 20:10 slandering