16 Once you were like an olive treecovered with fruit.But soon I will send a noisy mobto break off your branchesand set you on fire.
17 I am the Lord All-Powerful. You people of Judah were like a tree that I had planted, but you have made me angry by offering sacrifices to Baal, just as the northern kingdom did. And now I'm going to pull you up by the roots.*
18 Some people plotted to kill me.And like a lambbeing led to the butcher,I knew nothingabout their plans.
19 But then the Lord told methat they had plannedto chop me down like a tree—fruit and all—so that no one would everremember me again.
20 I prayed, “Lord All-Powerful,you always do what is right,and you know every thought.So I trust you to help meand to take revenge.”
21 Then the Lord said:Jeremiah, some men from Anathoth say they will kill you, if you keep on speaking for me.
22 But I will punish them. Their young men will die in battle, and their children will starve to death.