5. I chose you before I formed you in the womb;I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
6. But I protested, “Oh no, Lord, God! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth.”
7. Then the Lord said to me:Do not say, “I am only a youth,” for you will go to everyone I send you toand speak whatever I tell you.
8. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the Lord’s declaration.
9. Then the Lord reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and told me:I have now filled your mouth with My words.
10. See, I have appointed you todayover nations and kingdomsto uproot and tear down,to destroy and demolish, to build and plant.
11. Then the word of the Lord came to me, asking, “What do you see, Jeremiah? ” I replied, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”
12. The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I watch over My word to accomplish it.”
13. Again the word of the Lord came to me inquiring, “What do you see? ”And I replied, “I see a boiling pot, its lip tilted from the north to the south.”
14. Then the Lord said to me, “Disaster will be poured out from the north on all who live in the land.