Jeremiah’s Woe

10 Woe 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.

11 The 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.

12 Can anyone smash iron—

iron from the north—or bronze?

13 Your wealth and your treasures

I will give up as plunder,

without charge for all your sins

within all your borders.

14 Then I will enslave you to your enemies

in a land [fn] you do not know,

for My anger will kindle a fire

that will burn against you.”

15 You 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.

16 Your 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.

17 I 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.

18 Why 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.