First ReadingJeremiah 1:1, 4-10
From the Book of Jeremiah
1The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah,one of the priestswho were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. verses 2–3 are not read4Now the Lord’s word came to me, saying,
5“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.Before you were born, I sanctified you.I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
6Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD!Behold, I don’t know how to speak;for I am a child.”
7But the Lord said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’for you must go to whomever I send you,and you must say whatever I command you.8Don’t be afraid because of them,for I am with you to rescue you,” says the Lord.
9Then the Lord stretched out his hand and touched my mouth.Then the Lord said to me,“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.10Behold, I have today set you over the nationsand over the kingdoms,to uproot and to tear down,to destroy and to overthrow,to build and to plant.”