耶利米书 1

1The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin.

2The word of GOD came to him in the days of King Josiah son of Amon of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign,

3and throughout the days of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah, and until the end of the eleventh year of King Zedekiah son of Josiah of Judah, when Jerusalem went into exile in the fifth month.

4The word of GOD came to me:

5Before I created you in the womb, I selected you;Before you were born, I consecrated you;I appointed you a prophet concerning the nations.

6I replied:Ah, my Sovereign GOD!I don’t know how to speak,For I am still a boy.

7And GOD said to me:Do not say, “I am still a boy,”But go wherever I send youAnd speak whatever I command you.

8Have no fear of them,For I am with you to deliver you—declares GOD.

9GOD reached out and touched my mouth, and GOD said to me: Herewith I put My words into your mouth.

10See, I appoint you this dayOver nations and kingdoms:To uproot and to pull down,To destroy and to overthrow,To build and to plant.

11The word of GOD came to me: What do you see, Jeremiah? I replied: I see a branch of an almond tree..

12GOD said to me:You have seen right,For I am watchful. to bring My word to pass.

13And the word of GOD came to me a second time: What do you see? I replied:I see a steaming pot,Tipped away from the north.

14And GOD said to me:From the north shall disaster break looseUpon all the inhabitants of the land!

15For I am summoning all the peoplesOf the kingdoms of the north—declares GOD.They shall come, and shall each set up a throneBefore the gates of Jerusalem,Against its walls round about,And against all the towns of Judah.

16And I will argue My case against them For all their wickedness:They have forsaken MeAnd sacrificed to other godsAnd worshiped the works of their hands.

17So you, gird up your loins,Arise and speak to themAll that I command you.Do not break down before them,Lest I break you before them.

18I make you this dayA fortified city,And an iron pillar,And bronze wallsAgainst the whole land—Against Judah’s kings and officers,And against its priests and citizens.

19They will attack you,But they shall not overcome you;For I am with you—declares GOD—to save you.