Jeremiah 1:4-10

New Living Translation

Jeremiah’s Call and First Visions

⁴The Lord gave me this message:

⁵“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

⁶“O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”

⁷The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. ⁸And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” ⁹Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said,

“Look, I have put my words in your mouth!
¹⁰Today I appoint you to stand up
    against nations and kingdoms.
Some you must uproot and tear down,
    destroy and overthrow.
Others you must build up
    and plant.”

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Jeremiah 1:4-10

New International Version

The Call of Jeremiah

⁴The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

⁵“Before I formed you in the womb^(A) I knew^[a]^(B) you,
before you were born^(C) I set you apart;^(D)
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.^(E)”

⁶“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak;^(F) I am too young.”^(G)

⁷But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. ⁸Do not be afraid^(H) of them, for I am with you^(I) and will rescue^(J) you,” declares the Lord.^(K)

⁹Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched^(L) my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.^(M) ¹⁰See, today I appoint you over nations^(N) and kingdoms to uproot^(O) and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”^(P)