Jeremiah 20:8 net — For whenever I prophesy, I must cry out,“Violence and destruction are coming!” This message from the LORD has made me a…

NET Bible

"For whenever I prophesy, I must cry out,“Violence and destruction are coming!” This message from the LORD has made me an object of continual insults and derision."

— Jeremiah 20:8, NET Bible

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Jeremiah 20:8 in Other Translations

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Jeremiah 20 — Context

5

I will hand over all the wealth of this city to their enemies. I will hand over to them all the fruits of the labor of the people of this city and all their prized possessions, as well as all the treasures of the kings of Judah. Their enemies will seize it all as plunder and carry it off to Babylon.

6

You, Pashhur, and all your household will go into exile in Babylon. You will die there and you will be buried there. The same thing will happen to all your friends to whom you have prophesied lies.’”

7

Jeremiah Complains about the Reaction to His Ministry LORD, you coerced me into being a prophet, and I allowed you to do it. You overcame my resistance and prevailed over me. Now I have become a constant laughingstock. Everyone ridicules me.

8

For whenever I prophesy, I must cry out,“Violence and destruction are coming!” This message from the LORD has made me an object of continual insults and derision.

9

Sometimes I think,“I will make no mention of his message. I will not speak as his messenger any more.” But then his message becomes like a fire locked up inside of me, burning in my heart and soul. I grow weary of trying to hold it in; I cannot contain it.

10

I hear many whispering words of intrigue against me. Those who would cause me terror are everywhere! They are saying,“Come on, let’s publicly denounce him!” All my so-called friends are just watching for something that would lead to my downfall. They say,“Perhaps he can be enticed into slipping up, so we can prevail over him and get our revenge on him.

11

But the LORD is with me to help me like an awe-inspiring warrior. Therefore those who persecute me will fail and will not prevail over me. They will be thoroughly disgraced because they did not succeed. Their disgrace will never be forgotten.

Jeremiah 20:8 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Jeremiah 20:8 say?
Jeremiah 20:8 in the NET Bible reads: “For whenever I prophesy, I must cry out,“Violence and destruction are coming!” This message from the LORD has made me an object of continual insults and derision.”
Where is Jeremiah 20:8 in the Bible?
Jeremiah 20:8 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Jeremiah, chapter 20, verse 8.
Who wrote Jeremiah?
Jeremiah is traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, with scribal help from Baruch. It was written c. 627–580 BC.
What is the book of Jeremiah about?
Jeremiah, the "weeping prophet," ministered through Judah's slow-motion collapse — pleading with kings and people to repent, suffering imprisonment for his message, and ultimately watching Jerusalem fall. Yet in the midst of judgment he promises a new covenant written on the heart.
What are the major themes of Jeremiah?
Jeremiah explores themes including Judgment, Repentance, New Covenant, Suffering Prophet, Hope. These themes shape the meaning and context of Jeremiah 20:8.
What translation should I read Jeremiah 20:8 in?
Jeremiah 20:8 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Jeremiah 20:8?
Jeremiah 20:8 reads (NET): “For whenever I prophesy, I must cry out,“Violence and destruction are coming!” This message from the LORD has made me an object of continual insults and derision.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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