Jeremiah:1

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* The words of Jeremiah , son of Hilkiah . He was one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin . * Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah . This happened when King Josiah , son of Amon , was in his thirteenth year as king of Judah . * Jehovah also spoke when Jehoiakim , son of Josiah , was king of Judah . It was during the eleven years that Zedekiah , another son of Josiah , was king of Judah . Jehovah continued to speak to Jeremiah until the people of Jerusalem were taken away into captivity in the fifth month of the year . * Jehovah spoke his word to me , Jeremiah , He said : * »Before I formed you in the womb , I knew you . Before you were born , I set you apart for my holy purpose . I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations .« * I , Jeremiah , said : »Lord Jehovah , I do not know how to speak . I am only a child !« * Jehovah said to me : »‘Do not say , ‘I am only a child .’ You must go wherever I send you . You must say whatever I command you to say . * »Do not be afraid of people . I am with you . I will rescue you ,« says Jehovah . * Then Jehovah stretched out his hand and touched my mouth . Jehovah said to me : »I have put my words in your mouth . * »Today I have appointed you in charge of nations and kingdoms . You will uproot and tear down . You will destroy and overthrow . You will build and plant .« * Jehovah spoke his word to me again . He asked : »What do you see Jeremiah ?« I answered : »I see a branch of an almond tree .« * Jehovah said : »You are right . For I watch to make sure that my words come true .« * Again Jehovah asked : »What do you see ?« I answered : »I see a boiling pot , and its top is tilted away from the north .« * Jehovah said to me : »Disaster will be poured out from the north on all those who live in the land . * »I am going to call every family and kingdom from the north , says Jehovah . They will come , and they will set up their thrones at the entrance of Jerusalem 's gates . They will attack all the walls around the city and all the cities of Judah . * »I will pronounce judgment against my people because of all their wickedness . They abandoned me . They burned incense to other gods . They worshiped what their hands have made . * »Strengthen yourself , Jeremiah ! Stand up , and say to them whatever I tell you to say . Do not be terrified in their presence , or I will make you even more terrified in their presence . * »Today I have made you like a fortified city , an iron pillar , and a copper wall . You will be able to stand up to the whole land . You will be able to stand up to Judah 's kings , its officials , its priests , and all the common people . * »They will fight you but they will not defeat you . I am with you , and I will rescue you ,« declares Jehovah .

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