I chose you before I formed you in the womb;
I set you apart before you were born.(A)
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.(B)

But I protested, “Oh no, Lord God! Look, I don’t know how to speak(C) since I am only a youth.”(D)

Then the Lord said to me:

Do not say, “I am only a youth,”(E)
for you will go to everyone I send you to
and speak whatever I tell you.(F)

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Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

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“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)

“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak;(F) I am too young.”(G)

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.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 1:5 Or chose