The prophet's words, instead of leading to confession and repentance, aroused the anger of those high in authority, and as a consequence Jeremiah was deprived of his liberty. Imprisoned, and placed in the stocks, the prophet nevertheless continued to speak the messages of Heaven to those who stood by. His voice could not be silenced by persecution. The word of truth, he declared, "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 20:9.

Profetens ord fik ikke tilhørerne til at bekende og angre deres synd, men vakte tværtimod myndighedernes vrede, og Jeremias blev taget i forvaring. Men selv efter at han var blevet fængslet og anbragt i blokken, fortsatte han med at forkynde Himmelens budskab til de mennesker, som, befandt sig i nærheden. Hans røst forstummede ikke, selv om man forfulgte ham. Sandhedens ord blev "som brændende ild i mit indre" sagde han, "som brand i mine ben; jeg er træt, jeg kan ikke mere, jeg evner det ej". Jer. 20,9.