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A mother is in deep despair
    and struggles for breath.
Her daylight has turned
    to darkness—
she has suffered the loss
    of her seven sons.

I will kill anyone who survives.
    I, the Lord, have spoken.

Jeremiah Complains

10 I wish I had never been born!
I'm always in trouble
    with everyone in Judah.
I never lend or borrow money,
but everyone curses me
    just the same.

11 Then the Lord replied,
“I promise to protect you,
    and when disaster comes,
even your enemies
    will beg you for help.”[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 15.11 help: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 11.

The mother of seven will grow faint(A)
    and breathe her last.(B)
Her sun will set while it is still day;
    she will be disgraced(C) and humiliated.
I will put the survivors to the sword(D)
    before their enemies,”(E)
declares the Lord.

10 Alas, my mother, that you gave me birth,(F)
    a man with whom the whole land strives and contends!(G)
I have neither lent(H) nor borrowed,
    yet everyone curses(I) me.

11 The Lord said,

“Surely I will deliver you(J) for a good purpose;
    surely I will make your enemies plead(K) with you
    in times of disaster and times of distress.

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