Jeremiah 1:1-19

The prophecies of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah. Jeremiah was one of the priests from the village of Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. YAHWEH began to reveal his message to him in the thirteenth year of King Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah. YAHWEH continued to speak to him throughout the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the fifth month of the eleventh year of the reign of Zedekiah, another son of Josiah, king of Judah. That was when the people of Jerusalem went into captivity to Babylon. YAHWEH spoke these words to me: “Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew you intimately. I had divine plans for you before I gave you life, and I set you apart and chose you to be mine. You are my prophetic gift to the nations.” I replied: “But Lord YAHWEH, I don’t know how to speak in public. Besides, I’m too young.” But YAHWEH interrupted me: “Do not use your youth as an excuse, for you will go wherever I send you, and you will speak whatever I tell you to say. Fear nothing when you confront the people, for I am with you, and I will protect you. I, YAHWEH, have spoken.” Then YAHWEH reached out with his hand and touched my mouth and said to me: “Now I have put my words in your mouth. See! Today I have imparted to you great authority over nations and governments, to uproot and demolish, to destroy and dismantle. And you will plant and build something new.” YAHWEH spoke to me again: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I replied: “I see an almond branch.” “You have seen the vision correctly,” YAHWEH said. “Now know this: I constantly watch over my word to fulfill it.” YAHWEH spoke these words to me a second time: “Now what do you see?” I replied, “I see a large boiling pot, tipped toward us from the north.” Then YAHWEH said: “This means disaster will boil over from the north, and calamity will spill over everyone living in this land. Listen! I, YAHWEH, declare that I am about to summon all the armies of the northern kingdoms. Their kings will come and set up their thrones at the gates of Jerusalem. They will attack its walls and all the other cities of Judah. I will pass sentence against the people of Jerusalem and Judah for all their wickedness in deserting me. They have sacrificed to other gods and worshiped the works of their hands. “Jeremiah, get yourself ready! Arise with fresh courage and say to them all that I command you to say. Do not break down before them, lest I break you before them. Listen! Today, I am making you as strong as a fortified city, unbreakable as an iron pillar, and impenetrable as bronze walls. You will withstand the persecution of the whole land and the contempt of Judah’s kings, officers, priests, and all the people. They will fight against you, but they will not win, for I promise I am always with you to rescue you. I, YAHWEH, have spoken.”