God asks Jeremiah to observe a potter at work. Just as the potter decides when and how to break and refashion his pots, so can I God decide when to build and when to destroy. It depends on you though, says God. I can decree destruction, and if the people improve their ways I can build instead. However I can also declare success, and if the people turn to evil I will destroy instead. Despite this message, the people refuse to change. Instead the plot against the prophet, who just won;t stop rebuking them. Jeremiah prays that God take vengeance against those who plot to kill him.