A reading from the book of Jeremiah.

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord.

Arise and go down to the Potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words.

So I went down to the Potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel.

And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the

potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to do.

Then the word of the Lord came to me, O House of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done, declares the Lord.

Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O House of Israel.

If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will pluck up and break down

and destroy it.

And if that nation concerning which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent

of the disaster that I intended to do to it.

And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant

it.

And if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good

that I had intended to do to it.

Now therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, thus says the Lord,

behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising

a plan against you. Return everyone from his evil way and amend your ways and your deeds.

But they say, that is in vain.

We will follow our own plans and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his

evil heart.

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