Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 18:20

"Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before thee to speak good for them, to turn away thy wrath from them." — Jeremiah 18:20 (ASV)

Jeremiah had been laboring earnestly to avert the ruin of his country, but the Jews treated him as farmers treat a noxious animal which wastes their fields, and for which they dig pitfalls.