Jeremiah's Call

(from Jeremiah 1: 4-11)

The Lord said: 'I knew you,
Before you were born,
I set you apart,
As a prophet for all'

'Alas,' I replied,
'I'm too young for a seer,'
But the Lord said to me,
'Don't worry, I'm here,'

He reached out His hand,
And put words on my tongue,
Saying, 'Today is the day,
You will be righting what's wrong'

You will bring kingdoms down,
Now, what can you see?'
I said, 'Branches stretched out,
Of a great watching tree'

He said, 'That is correct,
I watch you every day,
To see that my word,
Is fulfilled in some way,'

Then, when He asked,
Once again what I saw,
I said, 'A pot that is boiling,
With a tilt from the north'

God said, 'It is disaster,
From the north will appear,
Poured into the land,
Onto those who live here'

Their kings will set thrones,
In the gates of this land,
Attacking the walls,
Of Jerusalem,

And all of the towns,
Of Judah around,
I will judge all my people,
For their actions unsound

For their burning of incense,
To false gods and wrong lords,
And their worship of that,
Which they've made with their hands

'Make ready and do,
What I command you to say,
Don't have a doubt,
Or let them scare you away

Never show fear,
Or I'll put fear in you,
Today I have made,
You a fortress inside,

Like an pillar of iron,
Or a bronze shielded wall,
Stand up against everyone,
The kings and the priests

Judah's officials,
And all of its sons,
Will fight you but then,
You will overcome

I'll always be with you,
I'm God and chose you,
I'm watching you over,
And will be your rescue.

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