17. For though I, the Lord who rules over all, planted you in the land,I now decree that disaster will come on youbecause the nations of Israel and Judah have done eviland have made me angry by offering sacrifices to the god Baal.”
18. The Lord gave me knowledge, that I might have understanding.Then he showed me what the people were doing.
19. Before this I had been like a docile lamb ready to be led to the slaughter. I did not know they were making plans to kill me. I did not know they were saying,“Let’s destroy the tree along with its fruit!Let’s remove Jeremiah from the world of the livingso people will not even be reminded of him any more.”