Jeremiah 18:20

Context

18:20 Should good be paid back with evil?

Yet they are virtually digging a pit to kill me.¹

Just remember how I stood before you

pleading on their behalf²

to keep you from venting your anger on them.³

[18:20] ¹tn Or “They are plotting to kill me”; Heb “They have dug a pit for my soul.” This is a common metaphor for plotting against someone. See BDB 500 s.v. כָּרָה Qal and for an example see Pss 7:16 (7:15 HT) in its context.

[18:20] ²tn Heb “to speak good concerning them” going back to the concept of “good” being paid back with evil.

[18:20] ³tn Heb “to turn back your anger from them.”