Jeremiah 15 - Revised Standard Version Old Tradition 1952(RSV-C)

1Then the Lord said to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my heart would not turn toward this people. Send them out of my sight, and let them go!

2 if I have not entreated thee for their good, if I have not pleaded with thee on behalf of the enemy in the time of trouble and in the time of distress!

12Can one break iron, iron from the north, and bronze?

13“Your wealth and your treasures I will give as spoil, without price, for all your sins, throughout all your territory.

14I will make you serve your enemies in a land which you do not know, for in my anger a fire is kindled which shall burn for ever.”

15O Lord, thou knowest;

remember me and visit me,

and take vengeance for me on my persecutors.

In thy forbearance take me not away;

know that for thy sake I bear reproach.

16Thy words were found, and I ate them,

and thy words became to me a joy

and the delight of my heart;

for I am called by thy name,

O Lord, God of hosts.

17I did not sit in the company of merrymakers,

nor did I rejoice;

I sat alone, because thy hand was upon me,

for thou hadst filled me with indignation.

18Why is my pain unceasing,

my wound incurable,

refusing to be healed?

Wilt thou be to me like a deceitful brook,

like waters that fail?

19Therefore thus says the Lord:

“If you return, I will restore you,

and you shall stand before me.

If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,

you shall be as my mouth.

They shall turn to you,

but you shall not turn to them.

20And I will make you to this people

a fortified wall of bronze;

they will fight against you,

but they shall not prevail over you,

for I am with you

to save you and deliver you,

says the Lord.

21“I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,

and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”