17. Like a strong east wind,I will scatter them before their enemies.At that awful time they will not see me coming to help them;they will see me leaving.”
18. Then the people said, “Come, let’s make plans against Jeremiah. Surely the teaching of the law by the priest will not be lost. We will still have the advice from the wise teachers and the words of the prophets. So let’s ruin him by telling lies about him. We won’t pay attention to anything he says.”
19. Lord, listen to me.Listen to what my accusers are saying!
20. Good should not be paid back with evil,but they have dug a pit in order to kill me.Remember that I stood before youand asked you to do good things for these peopleand to turn your anger away from them.
21. So now, let their children starve,and let their enemies kill them with swords.Let their wives lose their children and husbands.Let the men from Judah be put to deathand the young men be killed with swords in battle.
22. Let them cry out in their houseswhen you bring an enemy against them suddenly.Let all this happen, because my enemies have duga pit to capture me and have hidden traps for my feet.
23. Lord, you knowabout all their plans to kill me.Don’t forgive their crimesor erase their sins from your mind.Make them fall from their places;punish them while you are angry.