Jeremiah 18:9 — Meaning and Application

{At what} instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy {it};

If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

And {at what} instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant {it};

If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.