17 I (A)did not sit in the circle of merrymakers,
Nor did I exult.
Because of Your hand upon me I sat (B)alone,
For You (C)filled me with indignation.
18 Why has my pain been perpetual
And my (D)wound incurable, refusing to be healed?
Will You indeed be to me (E)like a deceptive stream
With water that is unreliable?

19 Therefore, thus says the Lord,
(F)If you return, then I will restore you—
(G)Before Me you will stand;
And (H)if you extract the precious from the worthless,
You will become [a]My spokesman.
They for their part may turn to you,
But as for you, you must not turn to them.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 15:19 Lit as My mouth

17 I never sat(A) in the company of revelers,
    never made merry with them;
I sat alone because your hand(B) was on me
    and you had filled me with indignation.
18 Why is my pain unending
    and my wound grievous and incurable?(C)
You are to me like a deceptive brook,
    like a spring that fails.(D)

19 Therefore this is what the Lord says:

“If you repent, I will restore you
    that you may serve(E) me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
    you will be my spokesman.(F)
Let this people turn to you,
    but you must not turn to them.

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