Jeremiah 1:1-10

1The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. 2The word of the LORD came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah,

3and through the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah 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, saying,

5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew Or chose you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6“Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.

8Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD . 9Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.

10See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”