Jeremiah 1:4-10

4The Lord spoke his word to me,

5“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”

6I, Jeremiah, said, “Almighty Lord, I do not know how to speak. I am only a boy!”

7But the Lord said to me, “Don’t say that you are only a boy. You will go wherever I send you. You will say whatever I command you to say.

8Don’t be afraid of people. I am with you, and I will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

9Then the Lord stretched out his hand and touched my mouth. The Lord said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth.

10Today I have put you in charge of nations and kingdoms. You will uproot and tear down. You will destroy and overthrow. You will build and plant.”