Why does Jeremiah ask if good should be repaid with evil?

Some commentators take this rhetorical question as the words of the adversaries as they question the legitimacy of Jeremiah’s ministry. It seems better however to assume that Jeremiah is asking the question.¹ The people have repaid his good work of speaking the Lord’s word with evil. They do evil, says Jeremiah by digging a pit for my life. This is a common metaphor for plotting to do harm to someone; like a hunter setting a trap for his prey.² Jeremiah is expressing his frustration to the Lord. Why should his good work of faithfully speaking the Lord’s word be met with evil?