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You have let me announce
    only injustice and death.
Your message has brought me
nothing but insults
    and trouble.
Sometimes I tell myself
not to think about you, Lord,
    or even mention your name.
But your message burns
in my heart and bones,
    and I cannot keep silent.

10 I heard the crowds whisper,
    “Everyone is afraid.
Now's our chance
    to accuse Jeremiah!”
All of my so-called friends
are just waiting
    for me to make a mistake.
They say, “Maybe Jeremiah
    can be tricked.
Then we can overpower him
    and get even at last.”

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Whenever I speak, I cry out
    proclaiming violence and destruction.(A)
So the word of the Lord has brought me
    insult and reproach(B) all day long.
But if I say, “I will not mention his word
    or speak anymore in his name,”(C)
his word is in my heart like a fire,(D)
    a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;(E)
    indeed, I cannot.
10 I hear many whispering,
    “Terror(F) on every side!
    Denounce(G) him! Let’s denounce him!”
All my friends(H)
    are waiting for me to slip,(I) saying,
“Perhaps he will be deceived;
    then we will prevail(J) over him
    and take our revenge(K) on him.”

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