Jeremiah 20:10

King James Version (KJV)

For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All 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.

Translations

Jeremiah 20:10 - Amplified Bible

For I have heard many whispering {and} defaming, [There is] terror on every side! Denounce him! Let us denounce him! Say all my familiar friends, they who watch for my fall, Perhaps he will be persuaded {and} deceived; then we will prevail against him, and we will get our revenge on him.

Jeremiah 20:10 - American Standard Version

For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce him, say all my familiar friends, they that watch for my fall; peradventure he will be persuaded, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

Jeremiah 20:10 - Bible in Basic English

For numbers of them say evil secretly in my hearing (there is fear on every side): they say, Come, let us give witness against him; all my nearest friends, who are watching for my fall, say, It may be that he will be taken by deceit, and we will get the better of him and give him punishment.

Jeremiah 20:10 - Darby Bible

For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side: Report, and we will report it. All my familiars are watching for my stumbling: Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him; and we shall take our revenge on him.

Jeremiah 20:10 - English Standard Version

For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! "Denounce him! Let us denounce him!" say all my close friends, watching for my fall. "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we can overcome him and take our revenge on him."

Jeremiah 20:10 - King James Version

Jeremiah 20:10 - La Biblia de las Americas

Porque he oìdo las murmuraciones de muchos:
¡Terror por todas partes!
¡Denunciadle, denunciémosle!
Todos mis amigos de confianza,
esperando mi caìda, dicen:
Tal vez será persuadido, prevaleceremos contra él
y tomaremos de él nuestra venganza.

Jeremiah 20:10 - The Message

Jeremiah 20:10 - New American Standard Bible

For I have heard the whispering of many, "Terror on every side! Denounce {him;} yes, let us denounce him!" All my trusted friends, Watching for my fall, say: "Perhaps he will be deceived, so that we may prevail against him And take our revenge on him."

Jeremiah 20:10 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Porque he oìdo las murmuraciones de muchos:
"¡Terror por todas partes!
¡Denùncienlo, vamos a denunciarlo!"
Todos mis amigos de confianza,
Esperando mi caìda, dicen: "Tal vez será persuadido, prevaleceremos contra él
Y tomaremos nuestra venganza contra él."

Jeremiah 20:10 - World English Bible

For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce him, [say] all my familiar friends, those who watch for my fall; peradventure he will be persuaded, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

Jeremiah 20:10 - Young's Living Translation

For I have heard the evil report of many, Fear [is] round about: `Declare, and we declare it,` All mine allies are watching [for] my halting, `Perhaps he is enticed, and we prevail over him, And we take our vengeance out of him.`

Jeremiah 20:10 - Additional Comments

This makes it clear that as far as Jeremiah knew, he was alone - all his acquaintances were against him, waiting for him to stumble, that they could tear into him with accusations. Wow, what accountability!!
These people had hatred and anger against Jeremiah, feeling he had wronged them (they wanted to take vengeance on him, to pay him back for what he had done!). They didn't just see Jeremiah as one who had misled or just told of bad things to come, they felt they were personally wronged, and needed to settle the score.
This is such a common reaction when you tell people the truth, exactly what they need to hear, but not what they want to hear. You can tell a humble and wise person who is willing to accept reproof or correction, no matter how difficult it is to hear. Verses someone who is unwilling to listen to the truth, and gets angry at the reproof, most often because it is not something they want to do or hear.
Have the guts to listen to correction from others, even if you don't like or respect them. If it has merit, take note, and if it has no worth, ignore, but at least you have considered it.
This shows that, whether fair or not, one who stands up for Christianity is held to a higher standard, especially since those opposing look for anything to tear you down. Those preparing for ministry work need to recognize this. Yet, in just standing up for Christ, we face much the same - people will hold us to a higher standard, and look for us to fall. Once we let people know we are Christians, this is their response. The good thing is we have greater accountability!

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