Jeremiah 15:18

Suffering Discouragement and depression Doubt Grief

¹⁶ Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts.

¹⁷ I never sat with the band of revelers, nor did I celebrate with them. Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone, for You have filled me with indignation.

Why is my pain unending, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become like a mirage to me— water that is not there.

¹⁹ Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence. And if you speak words that are noble instead of worthless, you will be My spokesman. It is they who must turn to you, but you must not turn to them.

²⁰ Then I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to save and deliver you, declares the LORD.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Why is my pain unending, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become like a mirage to me— water that is not there.
KJV: Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?
WEB: Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuses to be healed? Will you indeed be to me as a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?
ASV: Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou indeed be unto me as a deceitful [brook], as waters that fail?
DARBY: Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable? It refuseth to be healed. Wilt thou be altogether unto me as a treacherous [spring], [as] waters that fail?
BLB: Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You will surely be to me like a liar, waters that fail?

ÅB: Hvorfor er min smerte evig, og mitt sår ulegelig? Det vil ikke la seg lege. Du er jo blitt for meg som en sviktende bekk, som vann en ikke kan lite på.
OTB: Hvorfor er min smerte uendelig og mitt sår uhelbredelig, nekter å bli helbredet? Vil du være for meg som en bedragersk bekk, med vann som er upålitelige?
B1930: Hvorfor er min smerte evig, og mitt sår ulægelig? Det vil ikke la sig læge. Du er jo blitt for mig som en sviktende bekk, som vann en ikke kan lite på.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Jeremiah 30:15
Why do you cry out over your wound? Your pain has no cure! Because of your great iniquity and your numerous sins I have done these things to you.
Read in context
Job 34:6
Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
Read in context
Micah 1:9
For her wound is incurable; it has reached even Judah; it has approached the gate of my people, as far as Jerusalem itself.
Read in context
Jeremiah 14:19
Have You rejected Judah completely? Do You despise Zion? Why have You stricken us so that we are beyond healing? We hoped for peace, but no good has come, and for the time of healing, but there was only terror.
Read in context
Jeremiah 20:7
You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.
Read in context
Jeremiah 30:12
For this is what the LORD says: “Your injury is incurable; your wound is grievous.
Read in context
Psalms 6:3
My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O LORD, how long?
Read in context
Jeremiah 14:3
The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns, but find no water; their jars return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads.
Read in context