Jeremiah 1:11-16

11Later the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I answered, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”

12Then the Lord said, “You have observed correctly. This means I am watching to make sure my threats are carried out.”

13The Lord again asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a pot of boiling water; it is tipped toward us from the north.”

14Then the Lord said, “This means destruction will break out from the north on all who live in the land.

15For I will soon summon all the peoples of the kingdoms of the north,” says the Lord. “They will come and their kings will set up their thrones near the entrances of the gates of Jerusalem. They will attack all the walls surrounding it, and all the towns in Judah.

16In this way I will pass sentence on the people of Jerusalem and Judah because of all their wickedness. For they rejected me and offered sacrifices to other gods, worshiping what they made with their own hands.”