⁵ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
    and before you were born I consecrated you.
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

Do not say, “I am only a young boy.”
    You will go to whomever I send you,
    and you will speak whatever I command you.
⁸ Do not be afraid of them,
    for I am with you to deliver you,
    says the Lord.

Behold, I have placed my words into your mouth.
¹⁰ This day I have established you
    over nations and kingdoms,
to uproot and to pull down,
    to destroy and to demolish,
    to build and to plant.

From the north disaster will boil over
    upon all the inhabitants of the land.
¹⁵ For now I am summoning all the tribes
    of the kingdoms of the north, says the Lord.
Their kings will advance,
    and each will establish his throne
    in front of the gates of Jerusalem,
against all its surrounding walls
    and against all the cities of Judah.
¹⁶ I will issue my judgments against them
    for all their wickedness in abandoning me,
in offering sacrifices to other gods
    and worshiping what their hands have fashioned.
¹⁷ As for you, be prepared for action;
    stand up and tell them
    everything that I command you.
Do not have any fear of them
    or I will make you cringe in terror before them.
¹⁸ For this very day
    I have made you into a fortified city,
a pillar of iron, a wall of bronze,
    to overcome the entire country—
the kings and the princes of Judah,
    its priests and its people.
¹⁹ They will fight against you
    but they will not be victorious,
for I will be at your side to deliver you,
    says the Lord.