ירמיהו א

The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin.

The word of GOD came to him in the days of King Josiah son of Amon of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign,

and throughout the days of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah, and until the end of the eleventh year of King Zedekiah son of Josiah of Judah, when Jerusalem went into exile in the fifth month.

The word of GOD came to me:

Before I created you in the womb, I selected you;
Before you were born, I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet concerning the nations.

I replied:
Ah, my Sovereign GOD!
I don’t know how to speak,
For I am still a boy.

And GOD said to me:
Do not say, “I am still a boy,”
But go wherever I send you
And speak whatever I command you.

Have no fear of them,
For I am with you to deliver you
—declares GOD.

GOD reached out and touched my mouth, and GOD said to me: Herewith I put My words into your mouth.

See, I appoint you this day
Over nations and kingdoms:
To uproot and to pull down,
To destroy and to overthrow,
To build and to plant.

The word of GOD came to me: What do you see, Jeremiah? I replied: I see a branch of an almond tree..

GOD said to me:
You have seen right,
For I am watchful. to bring My word to pass.

And the word of GOD came to me a second time: What do you see? I replied:
I see a steaming pot,
Tipped away from the north.

And GOD said to me:
From the north shall disaster break loose
Upon all the inhabitants of the land!

For I am summoning all the peoples
Of the kingdoms of the north
—declares GOD.
They shall come, and shall each set up a throne
Before the gates of Jerusalem,
Against its walls round about,
And against all the towns of Judah.

And I will argue My case against them
For all their wickedness:
They have forsaken Me
And sacrificed to other gods
And worshiped the works of their hands.

So you, gird up your loins,
Arise and speak to them
All that I command you.
Do not break down before them,
Lest I break you before them.

I make you this day
A fortified city,
And an iron pillar,
And bronze walls
Against the whole land—
Against Judah’s kings and officers,
And against its priests and citizens.

They will attack you,
But they shall not overcome you;
For I am with you—declares GOD—to save you.