Jeremiah 1:4-9

New International Reader's Version

The Lord Appoints Jeremiah to Speak for Him

⁴A message from the Lord came to me. The Lord said,

⁵“Before I formed you in your mother’s body I chose you.
Before you were born I set you apart to serve me.
I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”

⁶“You are my Lord and King,” I said. “I don’t know how to speak. I’m too young.”

⁷But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I’m too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to. You must say everything I command you to say. ⁸Do not be afraid of the people I send you to. I am with you. I will save you,” announces the Lord.

⁹Then the Lord reached out his hand. He touched my mouth and spoke to me. He said, “I have put my words in your mouth.

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Jeremiah 1:4-9

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)