The words of Jeremiah,a the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests living in Anathothb in the territory of Benjamin. 2 The word of the Lord came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiahc son of Amon, king of Judah. 3 It also came throughout the days of Jehoiakimd son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiahe son of Josiah, king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.

THE CALL OF JEREMIAH

4 The word of the Lord came to me:

5 I chose you before I formed you in the womb;

I set you apart before you were born.f

I appointed you a prophet to the nations.g

6 But I protested, “Oh no, Lord God! Look, I don’t know how to speakh since I am only a youth.”i

7 Then the Lord said to me:

Do not say, “I am only a youth,”j

for you will go to everyone I send you to

and speak whatever I tell you.k

8 Do not be afraid of anyone,l

for I will be with you to rescue you.m

This is the Lord’s declaration.

9 Then the Lord reached out his hand, touched my mouth,n and told me:

I have now filled your mouth with my words.o

10 See, I have appointed you today

over nations and kingdoms

to uproot and tear down,

to destroy and demolish,p

to build and plant.q