1 The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth^(A) in the territory of Benjamin. ² The word of the Lord came^(B) to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah^(C) son of Amon king of Judah, ³ and through the reign of Jehoiakim^(D) son of Josiah king of Judah, down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah^(E) son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.^(F)

The Call of Jeremiah

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

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

⁷ But 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. ⁸ Do not be afraid^(N) of them, for I am with you^(O) and will rescue^(P) you,” declares the Lord.^(Q)

⁹ Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched^(R) my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.^{(S) 10} See, today I appoint you over nations^(T) and kingdoms to uproot^(U) and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”^(V)

³⁴ I will bring an end to the sounds^(A) of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom^(B) in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem,^(C) for the land will become desolate.^(D)

⁸ Then I heard the voice^(A) of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?^(B) And who will go for us?^(C)”

And I said, “Here am I.^(D) Send me!”