5 Then the Lord's message came to me. He said,
6 "People of Israel, I can do with you just as this potter does," announces the Lord. "The clay is in the potter's hand. And you are in my hand, people of Israel.
7 "Suppose at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is going to be pulled up by the roots. And I tell it that it will be torn down and destroyed.
8 But suppose the nation I warned turns away from its sins. Then I will not do what I said I would. I will not bring trouble on it as I had planned.
9 "Suppose at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is going to be built up and planted.
10 But it does what is evil in my sight. It does not obey me. Then I will think again about the good things I had wanted to do for it.
11 "So speak to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Tell them, 'The Lord says, "Look! I am making plans against you. I am going to bring trouble on you. So each one of you must turn from your evil ways. Change the way you live and act." '