[1:4] The Lord said to me,
[1:5] “I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations.”
[1:6] I answered, “Sovereign Lord, I don't know how to speak; I am too young.”
[1:7] But the Lord said to me, “Do not say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and tell them everything I command you to say.
[1:8] Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
[1:9] Then the Lord reached out, touched my lips, and said to me, “Listen, I am giving you the words you must speak.
[1:10] Today I give you authority over nations and kingdoms to uproot and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”