Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah and destroy him by his own tongue. Jeremiah, because of his profession as a prophet of God, was definitely not a popular figure among his contemporaries. Plying his trade at a very difficult time in the history of his people, Jeremiah found himself on the receiving end of the wrath of the community because of his stance against the continued idolatrous rebellion of his people. Arrest, imprisonment and public disgrace characterized Jeremiah’s daily life. Born of a priestly family, Jeremiah certainly understood the inconveniences that a prophet must suffer for speaking the truth. This is why although he was subjected to great persecution, he did not abandon his prophetic trade. He continued reminding the community of her obligations to the covenant made with God. However, this is not to say that Jeremiah enjoyed being persecuted. The short passage we have read today is a section of one of Jeremiah’s prayers to God asking for vengeance upon his persecutors. He knows that he cannot escape the many traps they have put on his path. His only refuge is the Lord God who avenges the cause of the righteous.