Jeremiah 15:10–21

¹⁰Woe to me, my mother,

that you have borne me,

a man of strife and conflict

in all the land.

I have neither lent nor borrowed,

yet everyone curses me.

¹¹The LORD said:

“Surely I will deliver you for a good purpose;

surely I will intercede with your enemy

in your time of trouble,

in your time of distress.

¹²Can anyone smash iron —

iron from the north — or bronze?

¹³Your wealth and your treasures

I will give up as plunder,

without charge for all your sins

within all your borders.

¹⁴Then I will enslave you to your enemies

in a land^b you do not know,

for My anger will kindle a fire

that will burn against you.”

¹⁵You understand, O LORD;

remember me and attend to me.

Avenge me against my persecutors.

In Your patience, do not take me away.

Know that I endure reproach for Your honor.

¹⁶Your words were found, and I ate them.

Your words became my joy

and my heart’s delight.

For I bear Your name,

O LORD God of Hosts.

¹⁷I never sat with the band of revelers,

nor did I celebrate with them.

Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone,

for You have filled me with indignation.

¹⁸Why is my pain unending,

and my wound incurable,

refusing to be healed?

You have indeed become like a mirage to me—

water that is not there.

¹⁹Therefore this is what the LORD says:

“If you return, I will restore you;

you will stand in My presence.

And if you speak words that are noble instead of worthless,

you will be My spokesman.

It is they who must turn to you,

but you must not turn to them.

²⁰Then I will make you a wall to this people,

a fortified wall of bronze;

they will fight against you

but will not overcome you,

for I am with you to save and deliver you,

declares the LORD.

²¹I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked

and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”