18:5 Then the Lord said to me, 8 18:6 “I, the Lord, say: 9 ‘O nation of Israel, can I not deal with you as this potter deals with the clay? 10 In my hands, you, O nation of Israel, are just like the clay in this potter’s hand.’ 18:7 There are times, Jeremiah, 11 when I threaten to uproot, tear down, and destroy a nation or kingdom. 12 18:8 But if that nation I threatened stops doing wrong, 13 I will cancel the destruction 14 I intended to do to it. 18:9 And there are times when I promise to build up and establish 15 a nation or kingdom. 18:10 But if that nation does what displeases me and does not obey me, then I will cancel the good I promised to do to it.