17. I will scatter them before their enemieslike dust blowing in front of a burning east wind.I will turn my back on them and not look favorably on themwhen disaster strikes them.”
18. Then some people said, “Come on! Let us consider how to deal with Jeremiah! There will still be priests to instruct us, wise men to give us advice, and prophets to declare God’s word. Come on! Let’s bring charges against him and get rid of him! Then we will not need to pay attention to anything he says.”
19. Then I said,“Lord, pay attention to me.Listen to what my enemies are saying.
20. Should good be paid back with evil?Yet they are virtually digging a pit to kill me.Just remember how I stood before youpleading on their behalfto keep you from venting your anger on them.
21. So let their children die of starvation.Let them be cut down by the sword.Let their wives lose their husbands and children.Let the older men die of diseaseand the younger men die by the sword in battle.
22. Let cries of terror be heard in their houseswhen you send bands of raiders unexpectedly to plunder them.For they have virtually dug a pit to capture meand have hidden traps for me to step into.
23. But you, Lord, knowall their plots to kill me.Do not pardon their crimes!Do not ignore their sins as though you had erased them!Let them be brought down in defeat before you!Deal with them while you are still angry!