¹⁸Some of the people said, “Come on, let’s cook up a plot against Jeremiah. We’ll still have the priests to teach us the law, wise counselors to give us advice, and prophets to tell us what God has to say. Come on, let’s discredit him so we don’t have to put up with him any longer.”

^19–23And I said to God:

“God, listen to me!

Just listen to what my enemies are saying.

Should I get paid evil for good?

That’s what they’re doing. They’ve made plans to kill me!

Remember all the times I stood up for them before you,

speaking up for them,

trying to soften your anger?

But enough! Let their children starve!

Let them be massacred in battle!

Let their wives be childless and widowed,

their friends die and their proud young men be killed.

Let cries of panic sound from their homes

as you surprise them with war parties!

They’re all set to lynch me.

The noose is practically around my neck!

But you know all this, God.

You know they’re determined to kill me.

Don’t whitewash their crimes,

don’t overlook a single sin!

Round the bunch of them up before you.

Strike while the iron of your anger is hot!”

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