1The words of Jeremiah, a the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests living in Anathoth b in the territory of Benjamin. 2The word of the LORD came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah c son of Amon, king of Judah. 3It also came throughout the days of Jehoiakim d son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah e son of Josiah, king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.

The Call of Jeremiah

4The word of the LORD came to me:

5I 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

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

7Then 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

8Do not be afraid of anyone, l

for I will be with you to deliver you. m

This is the LORD’s declaration.

9Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, n and told me:

I have now filled your mouth with My words. o

10See, I have appointed you today

over nations and kingdoms

to uproot and tear down,

to destroy and demolish, p

to build and plant. q

Two Visions

11Then the word of the LORD came to me, asking, “What do you see, Jeremiah? ” r

I replied, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”

12The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I watch over My word to accomplish it.” s 13Again the word of the LORD came to me inquiring, “What do you see? ”

And I replied, “I see a boiling pot, t its lip tilted from the north to the south.”

14Then the LORD said to me, “Disaster will be poured out u from the north v on all who live in the land. 15Indeed, I am about to summon all the clans and kingdoms of the north.” w

This is the LORD’s declaration.

They will come, and each king will set up his throne

at the entrance to Jerusalem’s gates.

They will attack all her surrounding walls

and all the other cities of Judah.

16“I will pronounce My judgments against them for all the evil they did when they abandoned Me to burn incense to other gods and to worship the works of their own hands. x

17“Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them y or I will cause you to cower before them. 18Today, I am the One who has made you a fortified city, z an iron pillar, and bronze walls aa against the whole land — against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the population. 19They will fight against you but never prevail over you, ab since I am with you to rescue you.” ac

This is the LORD’s declaration.