The Bible, King James version, Book 24: Jeremiah

A young Jeremiah, barely out of his childhood, is thrust into a divine mission when the Lord speaks directly to him, placing words upon his mouth and urging him to speak to a nation on the brink of crisis. He receives vivid, symbolic visions—a budding almond rod and a seething pot pointing north—that foretell looming danger and call him to warn the people of Judah about the impending threat from the northern kingdoms.

The prophet’s early messages are stark and urgent, reminding the listeners of a once‑cherished relationship with the divine that has been marred by idolatry and neglect. He urges the people to remember their early devotion and warns that the abandonment of covenant promises will bring judgment. As Jeremiah prepares to deliver these warnings, he is reassured that he is fortified like a fortified city, a steadfast pillar against the forces that seek to overwhelm Jerusalem.