📖 Jeremiah — Chapter 20 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Jeremiah 20:1 Now Pashur the son of RImmer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
Jeremiah 20:2 Then Pashur Rsmote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.
Jeremiah 20:3 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The LORD Rhath not called thy name Pashur, but Magormissabib.
Jeremiah 20:4 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, RI will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.
Jeremiah 20:5 Moreover RI will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.
Jeremiah 20:6 And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all Rthy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
Jeremiah 20:7 O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I Twas deceived; Rthou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
Jeremiah 20:8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because Rthe word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.
Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, RI will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
Jeremiah 20:10 For RI heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. TAll my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
Jeremiah 20:11 But Rthe LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
Jeremiah 20:12 But, O LORD of hosts, Rthat triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.
Jeremiah 20:13 Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: Rfor he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
Jeremiah 20:14 Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.
Jeremiah 20:15 Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, RA man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.
Jeremiah 20:16 And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and Rrepented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;
Jeremiah 20:17 Because Rhe slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.
Jeremiah 20:18 Wherefore Rcame I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Jeremiah 20:1–6 — Pashur punishes the prophet
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The temple official Pashur strikes Jeremiah and puts him in stocks. On release Jeremiah announces terror, Babylonian captivity, and judgment on Pashur and those misled by his false prophecies.
Key Truth: Do not mistake coercive authority for truth.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Now Pashur the ____ of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in …” (Jeremiah 20:1)
Find it in Jeremiah 20:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “For ____ saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror …” (Jeremiah 20:4)
Find it in Jeremiah 20:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Then ____ smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks …” (Jeremiah 20:2)
Find it in Jeremiah 20:2 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Jeremiah 20:7–12 — A burning word amid ridicule
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jeremiah’s complaint speaks candidly of mockery and the strain of his calling. He cannot suppress the word burning within him, and he entrusts his cause to the Lord who sees the heart.
Key Truth: Bring the cost of faithfulness honestly to God.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the ____ was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.” (Jeremiah 20:8)
Find it in Jeremiah 20:8 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “For I heard the defaming of many, ____ on every side. Report, say they, and we will report …” (Jeremiah 20:10)
Find it in Jeremiah 20:10 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the ____ , and seest the reins and the heart, let me …” (Jeremiah 20:12)
Find it in Jeremiah 20:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Jeremiah 20:13–18 — Praise and profound anguish
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A call to praise the Lord for rescue is followed by a bitter lament over Jeremiah’s birth. The juxtaposition preserves the depth of a suffering prophet’s struggle rather than smoothing it into easy confidence.
Key Truth: Make room for honest lament alongside faith.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the ____ of the poor from the hand of evildoers.” (Jeremiah 20:13)
Find it in Jeremiah 20:13 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And let that man be as the ____ which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him …” (Jeremiah 20:16)
Find it in Jeremiah 20:16 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with ____ ?” (Jeremiah 20:18)
Find it in Jeremiah 20:18 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 13:1 — The psalm gives voice to distress before turning toward trust.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can you support someone whose faithful service includes deep distress?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What does Pashur’s response reveal about resistance to Jeremiah?
2. How is Pashur’s future linked with his false prophecy?
3. Why can Jeremiah not simply stop speaking?
4. Why does Jeremiah entrust his cause to the LORD?
5. What does the lament after the praise preserve?
Notes
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