1. The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, one of the priests from Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin.
2. The word of the Lord came to him in the days of Josiah, son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign,
3. and again in the days of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, son of Josiah, king of Judah—down to the exile of Jerusalem, in the fifth month.
4. The word of the Lord came to me:
5. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I dedicated you,a prophet to the nations I appointed you.
6. “Ah, Lord God!” I said,“I do not know how to speak. I am too young!”
7. But the Lord answered me,Do not say, “I am too young.”To whomever I send you, you shall go;whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8. Do not be afraid of them,for I am with you to deliver you—oracle of the Lord.