17 I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, neither did I rejoice, but sat alone [a]because of thy plague: for thou hast filled me with indignation.

18 Why is mine heaviness continual? and my plague desperate and cannot be healed, why art thou unto me [b]as a liar, and as waters that fail?

19 Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou [c]return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take away the [d]precious from the vile, thou shalt be [e]according to my word: let them return [f]unto thee, but return not thou unto them.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 15:17 I had nothing a do with the wicked contemners of thy word, but lamented bitterly for thy plagues: showing what the faithful should do when they see tokens of God’s anger.
  2. Jeremiah 15:18 And hast not assisted me according to the promise? wherein appeareth that in the Saints of God is imperfection of faith, which through impatience is ofttimes assailed, as Jer. 20:7.
  3. Jeremiah 15:19 If thou forget these carnal considerations, and faithfully execute thy charge.
  4. Jeremiah 15:19 That is, seek to win the good from the bad.
  5. Jeremiah 15:19 To wit, as my mouth hath pronounced, Jer. 1:18, and as here followeth, verse 20.
  6. Jeremiah 15:19 Conform not thyself to their wickedness, but let them follow thy godly example.

17 I never sat(A) in the company of revelers,
    never made merry with them;
I sat alone because your hand(B) was on me
    and you had filled me with indignation.
18 Why is my pain unending
    and my wound grievous and incurable?(C)
You are to me like a deceptive brook,
    like a spring that fails.(D)

19 Therefore this is what the Lord says:

“If you repent, I will restore you
    that you may serve(E) me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
    you will be my spokesman.(F)
Let this people turn to you,
    but you must not turn to them.

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