JEREMIAH.

CH. 1.

1. The word of God that came to Jeremiah the son of Chelcias Original: Χελκίου. Traditionally Hilkiah., of the priests who dwelt in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin,

2. As the word of God came to him in the days of Josiah son of Amos Original: Ἀμὼς. Traditionally Amon., king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

3. And it came to pass in the days of Joachim Original: Ἰωακεὶμ. Traditionally Jehoiakim. son of Josiah king of Judah, until the eleventh year of Sedekias Original: Σεδεκία. Traditionally Zedekiah. son of Josiah king of Judah, until the captivity of Jerusalem in the fifth month.

4. And the word of the Lord came to him, saying:

5. Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest out of the womb, I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet to the nations.

6. And I said, O Sovereign Lord, behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.

7. And the Lord said to me, Do not say, "I am a youth," for to all that I shall send thee, thou shalt go, and according to all that I shall command thee, thou shalt speak.

8. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

9. And the Lord stretched out his hand to me, and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put my words into thy mouth.

10. Behold, I have set thee this day over nations and over kingdoms, to root up, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to build, and to plant.

11. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, What seest thou? And I said, A hazel rod.

12. And the Lord said to me, Thou hast seen well, for I am watchful over my words to perform them.