5. Then the Lord’s word came to me:
6. House of Israel, can’t I deal with you like this potter, declares the Lord? Like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in mine, house of Israel!
7. At any time I may announce that I will dig up, pull down, and destroy a nation or kingdom;
8. but if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I’ll relent and not carry out the harm I intended for it.
9. At the same time, I may announce that I will build and plant a nation or kingdom;
10. but if that nation displeases and disobeys me, then I’ll relent and not carry out the good I intended for it.
11. Now say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem: This is what the Lord says: I am a potter preparing a disaster for you; I’m working out a plan against you. So each one of you, turn from your evil ways; reform your ways and your actions.
12. But they said, "What’s the use! We will follow our own plans and act according to our own willful, evil hearts."