Men who are like lions are all around me. I am forced to lie down among people who are like hungry animals. Their teeth are like spears and arrows. Their tongues are like sharp swords.
I had been like a gentle lamb led off to be killed. I didn’t realize they had made plans against me. They had said, “Let’s destroy the tree and its fruit. Let’s take away his life. Then his name won’t be remembered anymore.”
I hear many people whispering, “There is terror on every side! Bring charges against Jeremiah! Let’s bring charges against him!” All my friends are waiting for me to slip. They are saying, “Perhaps he will be tricked into making a mistake. Then we’ll win out over him. We’ll get even with him.”
“You sent for terrors to come against me on every side. It was as if you were inviting people to enjoy a feast day. Because you were angry, no one escaped. No one was left alive. I took good care of my children and brought them up. But my enemies have destroyed them.”