¹¹ The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute?^(A) Who gives them sight or makes them blind?^(B) Is it not I, the Lord? ¹² Now go;^(C) I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”^(D)

⁶ “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak;^(A) I am too young.”^(B)

⁷ But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. ⁸ Do not be afraid^(C) of them, for I am with you^(D) and will rescue^(E) you,” declares the Lord.^(F)

⁹ Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched^(G) my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.^{(H) 10} See, today I appoint you over nations^(I) and kingdoms to uproot^(J) and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”^(K)

¹¹ “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say,^{(A) 12} for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”^(B)