The Call of Jeremiah

⁴ The Lord said to me, ⁵ “I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations.”

⁶ I answered, “Sovereign Lord, I don't know how to speak; I am too young.”

⁷ But the Lord said to me, “Do not say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and tell them everything I command you to say. ⁸ Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

⁹ Then the Lord reached out, touched my lips, and said to me, “Listen, I am giving you the words you must speak. ¹⁰ Today I give you authority over nations and kingdoms to uproot and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

⁸ He will demonstrate his learning in what he teaches,^[a] and his pride will be in the Lord's Law and covenant.