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Jeremiah

Jeremiah's Lament and Resolve

20
Chapter 20
7 You enticed me, LORD, and you prevailed; you strengthened me and you prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. 8 For whenever I speak, I cry out, "Violence and destruction!"—I call; for the word of the LORD has become to me a reproach and a derision all the day. 9 And I said, "I will not mention him, and I will not speak anymore in his name." But it was in my heart like a fire burning. I restrained it in my bones, and I wearied all the day, and I could not. 10 For I have heard the word of many, terror from around: "Tell, and let us tell him." Every man of my shalom: "I have kept my side." Perhaps he will entice, and we will prevail over him, and we will take our vengeance from him. 11 And the LORD has been to me like a mighty warrior, a tyrant. Therefore my pursuers will stumble and not prevail. They have been greatly ashamed, for they did not succeed. An everlasting disgrace will not be forgotten. 12 And the LORD of hosts tests the righteous, sees the kidneys and heart. I will see your vengeance on them, for to you I have disclosed my legal dispute. 13 Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, for he has delivered the life of the poor from the hand of evildoers. 14 Cursed be the day I was born—the day my mother bore me. Let it not be blessed. 15 Cursed be the man who brought the news to my father, saying, "A son, a male child, has been born to you." Rejoice! Make his joy! 16 And that man will be like the cities that the LORD overthrew and did not relent over. He heard a cry at dawn and a trumpet blast at noon. 17 because he did not let me die from the womb, and my mother would have been my grave, her womb pregnant forever. 18 Why did I come out from the womb to see toil and sorrow, and my days ended in shame?