4 Whenever a piece of pottery turned out imperfect, he would take the clay and make it into something else.
5 Then the Lord said to me,
6 “Don't I have the right to do with you people of Israel what the potter did with the clay? You are in my hands just like clay in the potter's hands.
7 If at any time I say that I am going to uproot, break down, or destroy any nation or kingdom,
8 but then that nation turns from its evil, I will not do what I said I would.
9 On the other hand, if I say that I am going to plant or build up any nation or kingdom,
10 but then that nation disobeys me and does evil, I will not do what I said I would.