16 Thy words were found, and I ate them,

and thy words became to me a joy

and the delight of my heart;

for I am called by thy name,

O Lord, God of hosts.

17 I did not sit in the company of merrymakers,

nor did I rejoice;

I sat alone, because thy hand was upon me,

for thou hadst filled me with indignation.

18 Why is my pain unceasing,

my wound incurable,

refusing to be healed?

Wilt thou be to me like a deceitful brook,

like waters that fail?

19 Therefore thus says the Lord:

“If you return, I will restore you,

and you shall stand before me.

If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,

you shall be as my mouth.

They shall turn to you,

but you shall not turn to them.

20 And I will make you to this people

a fortified wall of bronze;

they will fight against you,

but they shall not prevail over you,

for I am with you

to save you and deliver you,

says the Lord.

21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,

and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”