Jeremiah 20

The prophet’s protest

7You deceived me, LORD, and I was deceived.
You overpowered me and prevailed.
I have become a laughingstock all day long;
everyone mocks me.

8Whenever I speak, I cry out;
I shout, “Violence! Destruction!”
The LORD’s word has brought me
reproach and ridicule all day long.

9I said, “I will not mention him
or speak in his name anymore.”
But then it was like a burning fire in my heart,
shut up in my bones.
I grew weary of holding it in;
I could not.

10I hear many whispering,
“Terror on every side!
Denounce him! Let’s denounce him!”
All my close friends watch for me to stumble:
“Perhaps he can be deceived.
Then we can prevail over him
and take our revenge.”

The LORD is with me

11But the LORD is with me like a fearsome warrior.
So my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.
They will be deeply ashamed because they have not succeeded,
with an everlasting humiliation that will not be forgotten.

12LORD of hosts, you test the righteous
and see the innermost being and heart.
Let me see your vengeance on them,
for I have laid my case before you.

13Sing to the LORD;
praise the LORD!
For he has delivered the life of the needy
from the hand of evildoers.