2
Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
3
Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
4
And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
5
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
6
O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
7
At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;
8
If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
9
And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;
10
If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
11
Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.
12
And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.