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20 Look, Lord, we are in a lot of trouble.
We are very sad.
We are weak deep inside ourselves
because we have done so many bad things.
They are killing our people in the streets.
People are dying in the houses.’[a]
21 ‘Everybody knows that we are very sad.
Nobody wants to help us.
All our enemies know about our trouble.
They are happy, God, that you caused that trouble.
Please cause trouble for those enemies too, as you promised.
22 You know that they have done many bad things.
Punish them as you have punished us.
You punished us because we did many bad things.
Now we are ashamed and we are very sad.’

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Footnotes

  1. 1:20 Jerusalem's people are talking to God, (see verses 20-22). It helps people to know that God sees all their troubles. God thinks about their troubles because he loves them. He will even cause good things to be the result of bad things.

20 “See, Lord, how distressed(A) I am!
    I am in torment(B) within,
and in my heart I am disturbed,(C)
    for I have been most rebellious.(D)
Outside, the sword bereaves;
    inside, there is only death.(E)

21 “People have heard my groaning,(F)
    but there is no one to comfort me.(G)
All my enemies have heard of my distress;
    they rejoice(H) at what you have done.
May you bring the day(I) you have announced
    so they may become like me.

22 “Let all their wickedness come before you;
    deal with them
as you have dealt with me
    because of all my sins.(J)
My groans(K) are many
    and my heart is faint.”

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