These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests from the town of Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. The Lord first gave messages to Jeremiah during the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah. The Lord’s messages continued throughout the reign of King Jehoiakim, Josiah’s son, until the eleventh year of the reign of King Zedekiah, another of Josiah’s sons. In August of that eleventh year the people of Jerusalem were taken away as captives. 

The Lord gave me this message: 

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. 

Before you were born I set you apart 

and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” 

“O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” 

The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, 

“Look, I have put my words in your mouth! 

Today I appoint you to stand up 

against nations and kingdoms. 

Some you must uproot and tear down, 

destroy and overthrow. 

Others you must build up 

and plant.”