¹⁸The Lord told me about the evil plans of my enemies. That’s how I knew about them. He showed me what they were doing. ¹⁹I had been like a gentle lamb that was led off to be killed. I didn’t realize they had made plans against me. They had said,

“Let’s destroy the tree and its fruit.

Let’s cut him off while he’s still living.

Then his name won’t be remembered anymore.”

²⁰But Lord, you rule over all.

You always judge fairly.

You put people’s hearts and minds to the test.

So pay them back for what they’ve done.

I’ve committed my cause to you.

²¹The Lord says, “Jeremiah, here is what I am telling you about the men of Anathoth. They want to kill you. They are saying, ‘Don’t prophesy in the Lord’s name. If you do, we will kill you with our own hands.’ ”

²²So the Lord who rules over all says, “I will punish them. Their young men will be killed with swords. Their sons and daughters will die of hunger. ²³Only a few people will be left alive. I will judge the men of Anathoth. I will destroy them when the time to punish them comes.”

Jeremiah Argues With the Lord

12Lord, when I bring a matter to you,

you always do what is right.

But now I would like to speak with you

about whether you are being fair.

Why are sinful people successful?

Why do those who can’t be trusted have an easy life?

²You have planted them.

Their roots are deep in the ground.

They grow and produce fruit.

They honor you by what they say.

But their hearts are far away from you.

³Lord, you know me and see me.

You test my thoughts about you.

Drag those people off like sheep to be killed!

Set them apart for the day of their death!

⁴How long will the land be thirsty for water?

How long will the grass in every field be dry?

The people who live in the land are evil.

So the animals and birds have died.

And that’s not all. The people are saying,

“The Lord won’t see what happens to us.”

The Lord Replies to Jeremiah

⁵The Lord says, “Suppose you have run in a race with other men.

And suppose they have worn you out.

Then how would you be able to race against horses?

Suppose you feel safe only in open country.

Then how would you get along in the bushes near the Jordan River?

⁶Even your own family has turned against you.

They have shouted loudly at you.

They might say nice things about you.

But do not trust them.

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