Jeremiah 1:4-10

Good News Translation

The Call of Jeremiah

⁴The 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.”

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

⁷But 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. ⁸Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

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