Jeremiah 20:7–13

^7–10You pushed me into this, God, and I let you do it.

You were too much for me.

And now I’m a public joke.

They all poke fun at me.

Every time I open my mouth

I’m shouting, “Murder!” or “Rape!”

And all I get for my God-warnings

are insults and contempt.

But if I say, “Forget it!

No more God-Messages from me!”

The words are fire in my belly,

a burning in my bones.

I’m worn out trying to hold it in.

I can’t do it any longer!

Then I hear whispering behind my back:

“There goes old ‘Danger-Everywhere.’ Shut him up! Report him!”

Old friends watch, hoping I’ll fall flat on my face:

“One misstep and we’ll have him. We’ll get rid of him for good!”

¹¹But God, a most fierce warrior, is at my side.

Those who are after me will be sent sprawling—

Slapstick buffoons falling all over themselves,

a spectacle of humiliation no one will ever forget.

¹²Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, no one fools you.

You see through everyone, everything.

I want to see you pay them back for what they’ve done.

I rest my case with you.

¹³Sing to God! All praise to God!

He saves the weak from the grip of the wicked.