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,

¹⁷ “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say^(A) to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified^(B) by them, or I will terrify you before them. ¹⁸ Today I have made you^(C) a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. ¹⁹ They will fight against you but will not overcome^(D) you, for I am with you^(E) and will rescue^(F) you,” declares the Lord.