Add parallel Print Page Options

Jeremiah’s Letter to the Exiles in Babylon

29 These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Read full chapter

A Letter to the Exiles

29 This is the text of the letter(A) that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.(B)

Read full chapter

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream,[a] for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, says the Lord.

10 For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfil to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. 12 Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. 13 When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, 14 I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 29:8 Cn: Heb your dreams that you cause to dream

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried(A) into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build(B) houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.(C) Also, seek(D) the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray(E) to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets(F) and diviners among you deceive(G) you. Do not listen to the dreams(H) you encourage them to have.(I) They are prophesying lies(J) to you in my name. I have not sent(K) them,” declares the Lord.

10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years(L) are completed for Babylon, I will come to you(M) and fulfill my good promise(N) to bring you back(O) to this place. 11 For I know the plans(P) I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper(Q) you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.(R) 12 Then you will call(S) on me and come and pray(T) to me, and I will listen(U) to you. 13 You will seek(V) me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.(W) 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back(X) from captivity.[a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”(Y)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 29:14 Or will restore your fortunes