For when I spoke, I cried out;
(A)I shouted, “Violence and plunder!”
Because the word of the Lord was made to me
A reproach and a derision daily.
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 (B)burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And (C)I could not.
10 (D)For I heard many [a]mocking:
“Fear on every side!”
“Report,” they say, “and we will report it!”
(E)All 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.”

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 20:10 slandering

Whenever I speak, I cry out
    proclaiming violence and destruction.(A)
So the word of the Lord has brought me
    insult and reproach(B) all day long.
But if I say, “I will not mention his word
    or speak anymore in his name,”(C)
his word is in my heart like a fire,(D)
    a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;(E)
    indeed, I cannot.
10 I hear many whispering,
    “Terror(F) on every side!
    Denounce(G) him! Let’s denounce him!”
All my friends(H)
    are waiting for me to slip,(I) saying,
“Perhaps he will be deceived;
    then we will prevail(J) over him
    and take our revenge(K) on him.”

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