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;^(F) I am too young.”^(G)

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^(H) of them, for I am with you^(I) and will rescue^(J) you,” declares the Lord.^(K)

⁹ Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched^(L) my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.^{(M) 10} See, 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)

⁵ “Woe^(A) to me!” I cried. “I am ruined!^(B) For I am a man of unclean lips,^(C) and I live among a people of unclean lips,^(D) and my eyes have seen^(E) the King,^(F) the Lord Almighty.”^(G)

⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal^(H) in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips;^(I) your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.^(J)”

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

And I said, “Here am I.^(N) Send me!”