eremiah Complains to the Lord7 You tricked me, Lord, and I was really fooled.You are stronger than I am, and you have defeated me.People never stop sneering and insulting me.8 You have let me announce only destruction and death.Your message has brought menothing but insults and trouble.9 Sometimes I tell myselfnot to think about you, Lord, or even mention your name.But your message burnsin 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 friendsare 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.”11 But you, Lord,are a mighty soldier, standing at my side.Those troublemakerswill fall down and fail— terribly embarrassed, forever ashamed.12 Lord All-Powerful, you test those who do right,and you know every heart and mind.I have told you my complaints,so let me watch you take revenge on my enemies.13 I sing praises to you, Lord.You rescue the oppressed from the wicked.14 Put a curse on the day I was born! Don’t bless my mother.15 Put a curse on the manwho told my father,“Good news! You have a son.”16 May that man be like the towns you destroyed without pity.Let him hear shouts of alarmin the morning and battle cries at noon.17 He deserves to diefor not killing me before I was born.Then my mother’s body would have been my grave.18 Why did I have to be born?Was it just to suffer and die in shame?