Jeremiah 20:7-18 ▼

7 O LORD, thou hast comforted me, and I am comforted; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed; I have become a laughing-stock daily, every one mocks me.

8 For at the time when I spoke and cried out, I spoke against the extortioners and against the robbers; because the word of the LORD has become for me a reproach and derision daily.

9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word became in my heart like a burning fire kindling in my bones; and I sought to be patient, but I could not endure it.

10 For I heard the evil intentions of many, who were gathering from every side inquiring of my peace with their mouth, but hating me in their heart, saying, Point him out to us; we will stand against him; perhaps we can win him over and we shall take our revenge on him.

11 But the LORD is with me as a mighty warrior; therefore all my persecutors shall be ashamed, and they shall not prevail; they have been greatly ashamed because they did not understand; their everlasting shame shall never be forgotten.

12 But, O LORD of hosts, who observest the right cause and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them; for to thee have I revealed my cause.

13 Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD; for he has delivered the life of the poor from the hand of evildoers.

14 Cursed be the day on which I was born; let not the day on which my mother bore me be blessed.

15 Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A son is born to you, making him very glad.

16 Let that man be like the cities which the LORD overthrew, and he was never reconciled towards them; and let him hear the cry in the morning and the howling at noon.

17 Because he did not slay me in the womb, so that my mother might have been my grave, and my conception would have remained in the womb for ever.

18 Why did I come forth out of the womb to see toil and sorrow? My days are spent in shame.