Jeremiah’s Unpopular Ministry

7 O Lord, You 2induced me, and I was persuaded;

hYou are stronger than I, and have prevailed.

iI am 3in derision daily;

Everyone mocks me.

8 For when I spoke, I cried out;

jI shouted, “Violence and plunder!”

Because the word of the Lord was made to me

A reproach and a derision daily.

9 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 kburning fire

Shut up in my bones;

I was weary of holding it back,

And lI could not.

10 mFor I heard many 4mocking:

“Fear on every side!”

“Report,” they say, “and we will report it!”

nAll 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.”

11 But the Lord is owith me as a mighty, awesome One.

Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not pprevail.

They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper.

Their qeverlasting confusion will never be forgotten.

12 But, O Lord of hosts,

You who rtest the righteous,

And see the 5mind and heart,

sLet me see Your vengeance on them;

For I have pleaded my cause before You.