Jeremiah 20:8

20:8 For whenever I prophesy, 1  I must cry out, 2 

“Violence and destruction are coming!” 3 

This message from the Lord 4  has made me

an object of continual insults and derision.

Jeremiah 48:10

48:10 A curse on anyone who is lax in doing the Lord’s work!

A curse on anyone who keeps from carrying out his destruction! 5 

1 tn Heb “speak,” but the speaking is in the context of speaking as a prophet.

2 tn Heb “I cry out, I proclaim.”

3 tn Heb “Violence and destruction.”

sn The words “Violence and destruction…” are a synopsis of his messages of judgment. Jeremiah is lamenting that his ministry up to this point has been one of judgment and has brought him nothing but ridicule because the Lord has not carried out his threats. He appears in the eyes of the people to be a false prophet.

4 tn Heb “the word of the Lord.” For the use of כִּי…כִּי (ki…ki) here in the sense of “for…and” see KBL 432 s.v. כּי 10.

5 tn Heb “who withholds his sword from bloodshed.” This verse is an editorial aside (or apostrophe) addressed to the Babylonian destroyers to be diligent in carrying out the work of the Lord in destroying Moab.