Jeremiah 20:7-18

7 seduxisti me Domine et seductus sum fortior me fuisti et invaluisti factus sum in derisum tota die omnes subsannant me

8 quia iam olim loquor vociferans iniquitatem et vastitatem clamito et factus est mihi sermo Domini in obprobrium et in derisum tota die

9 et dixi non recordabor eius neque loquar ultra in nomine illius et factus est in corde meo quasi ignis exaestuans claususque in ossibus meis et defeci ferre non sustinens

10 audivi enim contumelias multorum et terrorem in circuitu persequimini et persequamur eum ab omnibus viris qui erant pacifici mei et custodientes latus meum si quo modo decipiatur et praevaleamus adversus eum et consequamur ultionem ex eo

11 Dominus autem mecum est quasi bellator fortis idcirco qui persequuntur me cadent et infirmi erunt confundentur vehementer quia non intellexerunt obprobrium sempiternum quod numquam delebitur

12 et tu Domine exercituum probator iusti qui vides renes et cor videam quaeso ultionem tuam ex eis tibi enim revelavi causam meam

13 cantate Domino laudate Dominum quia liberavit animam pauperis de manu malorum

14 maledicta dies in qua natus sum dies in qua peperit me mater mea non sit benedicta

15 maledictus vir qui adnuntiavit patri meo dicens natus est tibi puer masculus et quasi gaudio laetificavit eum

16 sit homo ille ut sunt civitates quas subvertit Dominus et non paenituit eum audiat clamorem mane et ululatum in tempore meridiano

17 qui non me interfecit a vulva ut fieret mihi mater mea sepulchrum et vulva eius conceptus aeternus

18 quare de vulva egressus sum ut viderem laborem et dolorem et consumerentur in confusione dies mei

Jeremiah 20:7-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 20

This chapter gives an account of the usage that Jeremiah met with from many for his prophecies, and the effect it had upon him. He was smitten and put in the stocks by Pashur the priest, who released him the next day, Jer 20:1-3; upon which he prophesies again of the delivery of the city of Jerusalem, with all its riches, and of the whole land, to the Chaldeans; and particularly that Pashur should be a terror to himself and all his friends; and that both he and they should be carried captive into Babylon, and die, and be buried there, Jer 20:4-6; and then he complains of his being mocked at by the people for the word of the Lord; which he therefore determined to make no more mention of, but was obliged to it; and of the defamations of him, and snares that were laid for him, Jer 20:7-10; under which he is supported with the consideration of the Lord's being with him, and that his enemies should not prevail, but be confounded; and appeals to him, and calls for vengeance from him on them; and, in the view of deliverance, not only praises the Lord himself, but calls upon others to join with him in it, Jer 20:11-13; and yet, after all, the chapter is concluded with his cursing the day of his birth, and the man that brought his father the news of it, Jer 20:14-18.