6 Then said I:

k“Ah, Lord God!

Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”

7 But the Lord said to me:

“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’

For you shall go to all to whom I send you,

And lwhatever I command you, you shall speak.

8 mDo not be afraid of their faces,

For nI am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.

9 Then the Lord put forth His hand and otouched my mouth, and the Lord said to me:

“Behold, I have pput My words in your mouth.

10 qSee, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms,

To rroot out and to pull down,

To destroy and to throw down,

To build and to plant.”

11 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?”

And I said, “I see a 3branch of an almond tree.”

12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am 4ready to perform My word.”

13 And the word of the Lord came to me the second time, saying, “What do you see?”

And I said, “I see sa boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north.”

14 Then the Lord said to me:

“Out of the tnorth calamity shall break forth

On all the inhabitants of the land.

15 For behold, I am ucalling

All the families of the kingdoms of the north,” says the Lord;

“They shall come and veach one set his throne

At the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem,

Against all its walls all around,

And against all the cities of Judah.

16 I will utter My judgments

Against them concerning all their wickedness,

Because wthey have forsaken Me,

Burned xincense to other gods,

And worshiped the works of their own yhands.

17 “Therefore zprepare yourself and arise,

And speak to them all that I command you.

aDo not be dismayed before their faces,

Lest I dismay you before them.

18 For behold, I have made you this day

bA fortified city and an iron pillar,

And bronze walls against the whole land—

Against the kings of Judah,

Against its princes,

Against its priests,

And against the people of the land.

19 They will fight against you,

But they shall not prevail against you.

For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.”