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.
9. Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying to me,See, I place my words in your mouth!
10. Today I appoint youover nations and over kingdoms,To uproot and to tear down,to destroy and to demolish,to build and to plant.
11. The word of the Lord came to me: What do you see, Jeremiah? “I see a branch of the almond tree,” I replied.
12. Then the Lord said to me: You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to carry it out.
13. A second time the word of the Lord came to me: What do you see? I replied, “I see a boiling kettle whose mouth is tipped away from the north.”
14. The Lord said to me, And from the north evil will pour out over all who dwell in the land.
15. Look, I am summoningall the kingdoms of the north—oracle of the Lord—Each king shall come and set up his thronein the gateways of Jerusalem,Against all its surrounding wallsand against all the cities of Judah.