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7 Thou hast deceived me, O Lord, and I am deceived: thou hast been stronger than I, and thou hast prevailed. I am become a laughing-stock all the day, all scoff at me. 8 For I am speaking now this long time, crying out against iniquity, and I often proclaim devistation: and the word of the Lord is made a reproach to me, and a derision all the day. 9 Then I said: I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name: and there came in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was wearied, not being able to bear it. 10 For I heard the reproaches of many, and terror on every side: Persecute him, and let us persecute him: from all the men that were my familiars, and continued at my side: if by any means he may be deceived, and we may prevail against him, and be revenged on him. 11 But the Lord is with me as a strong warrior: therefore they that persecute me shall fall, and shall be weak: they shall be greatly confounded, because they have not understood the everlasting reproach, which never shall be effaced. 12 And thou, O Lord of hosts, prover of the just, who seest the reins and the heart: let me see, I beseech thee, thy vengeance on them: for to thee I have laid open my cause. 13 Sing ye to the Lord, praise the Lord: because he hath delivered the soul of the poor out of the hand of the wicked. 14 Cursed be the day wherein I was borne: let not the day in which my mother bore me, be blessed. 15 Cursed be the man that brought the tidings to my father, saying: A man child is born to thee: and made him greatly rejoice. 16 Let that man be as the cities that the Lord hath overthrown, and hath not repented: let him hear a cry in the morning, and howling at noontide: 17 Who slew me not from the womb, that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb an everlasting conception. 18 Why came I out of the womb, to see labour and sorrow, and that my days should be spent in confusion? Jeremiah 20:7-18, Douay-Rheims Bible. Public domain.
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