Font Size
Jeremiah 29-30
Christian Standard Bible
Jeremiah 29-30
Christian Standard Bible
Jeremiah’s Letter to the Exiles
29 This is the text of the letter(A) that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining exiled elders, the priests, the prophets, and all the people Nebuchadnezzar(B) had deported from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 This was after King Jeconiah,[a](C) the queen mother, the court officials, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metalsmiths had left Jerusalem. 3 He sent the letter with Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah,(D) whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The letter stated:
4 This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and live in them.(E) Plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Find wives for yourselves, and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and give your daughters to men in marriage so that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease.(F) 7 Pursue the well-being[b] of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf,(G) for when it thrives, you will thrive.”
8 For this is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Don’t let your prophets who are among you(H) and your diviners deceive you,(I) and don’t listen to the dreams you elicit from them, 9 for they are prophesying falsely to you in my name. I have not sent them.”(J) This is the Lord’s declaration.
10 For this is what the Lord says: “When seventy years for Babylon are complete,(K) I will attend to you and will confirm my promise concerning you to restore you to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you”(L)—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.(M) 13 You will seek me(N) and find me when you search for me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and I will restore your fortunes[c](O) and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place from which I deported you.”(P)
15 You have said, “The Lord has raised up prophets for us in Babylon!” 16 But this is what the Lord says concerning the king sitting on David’s throne(Q) and concerning all the people living in this city—that is, concerning your brothers who did not go with you into exile. 17 This is what the Lord of Armies says: “I am about to send sword, famine, and plague against them,(R) and I will make them like rotten figs that are inedible because they are so bad. 18 I will pursue them with sword, famine, and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth—a curse and a desolation, an object of scorn and a disgrace among all the nations(S) where I have banished them.(T) 19 I will do this because they have not listened to my words”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“the words that I sent to them with my servants the prophets time and time again.[d](U) And you too have not listened.” This is the Lord’s declaration.
20 Hear the word of the Lord, all you exiles I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon.(V) 21 This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and concerning Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, the ones prophesying a lie to you in my name:(W) “I am about to hand them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and he will kill them before your very eyes. 22 Based on what happens to them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will create a curse(X) that says, ‘May the Lord make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’ (Y) 23 because they have committed an outrage(Z) in Israel by committing adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have spoken in my name a lie, which I did not command them. I am he who knows, and I am a witness.” This is the Lord’s declaration.
24 To Shemaiah the Nehelamite you are to say, 25 “This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: You[e] in your own name have sent out letters to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah(AA) son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests, saying, 26 ‘The Lord has appointed you priest in place of the priest Jehoiada to be the chief officer(AB) in the temple of the Lord, responsible for every madman(AC) who acts like a prophet. You must confine him in the stocks(AD) and an iron collar. 27 So now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who has been acting like a prophet among you?(AE) 28 For he has sent word to us in Babylon, claiming, “The exile will be long. Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce.”’” (AF)
29 The priest Zephaniah read this letter in the hearing of the prophet Jeremiah.
A Message about Shemaiah
30 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 31 “Send a message to all the exiles, saying, ‘This is what the Lord says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Because Shemaiah prophesied to you, though I did not send him, and made you trust a lie,(AG) 32 this is what the Lord says: I am about to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. There will not be even one of his descendants living among these people,(AH) nor will any ever see the good that I will bring to my people—this is the Lord’s declaration—for he has preached rebellion against the Lord.’”(AI)
Restoration from Captivity
30 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord. 2 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Write on a scroll all the words that I have spoken to you,(AJ) 3 for look, the days are coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“when I will restore the fortunes[f] of my people Israel and Judah,”(AK) says the Lord. “I will restore them to the land I gave to their ancestors and they will possess it.”
4 These are the words the Lord spoke to Israel and Judah. 5 This is what the Lord says:
We have heard a cry of terror,
of dread—there is no peace.
6 Ask and see
whether a male can give birth.
Why then do I see every man
with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor
and every face turned pale?(AL)
7 How awful that day will be!(AM)
There will be no other like it!(AN)
It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,
but he will be saved out of it.
8 On that day—
this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies—
I will break his yoke from your neck(AO)
and tear off your chains,(AP)
and strangers will never again enslave him.(AQ)
9 They will serve the Lord their God
and David their king,
whom I will raise up for them.(AR)
10 As for you, my servant Jacob,(AS)
do not be afraid—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
and do not be discouraged, Israel,
for without fail I will save you out of a distant place,
your descendants, from the land of their captivity!
Jacob will return and have calm and quiet
with no one to frighten him.(AT)
11 For I will be with you—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
to save you!(AU)
I will bring destruction on all the nations
where I have scattered you;
however, I will not bring destruction on you.
I will discipline you justly,
and I will by no means leave you unpunished.(AV)
Healing Zion’s Wounds
12 For this is what the Lord says:
Your injury is incurable;
your wound most severe.(AW)
13 You have no defender for your case.(AX)
There is no remedy for your sores,
and no healing for you.[g]
14 All your lovers have forgotten you;(AY)
they no longer look for you,
for I have struck you as an enemy would,
with the discipline(AZ) of someone cruel,(BA)
because of your enormous guilt
and your innumerable sins.
15 Why do you cry out about your injury?
Your pain has no cure!
I have done these things to you
because of your enormous guilt
and your innumerable sins.(BB)
16 Nevertheless, all who devoured you will be devoured,(BC)
and all your adversaries—all of them—
will go off into exile.
Those who plunder you will be plundered,
and all who raid you will be raided.(BD)
17 But I will bring you health(BE)
and will heal you of your wounds—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
for they call you Outcast,
Zion whom no one cares about.
Restoration of the Land
18 This is what the Lord says:
I will certainly restore the fortunes[h] of Jacob’s tents(BF)
and show compassion(BG) on his dwellings.
Every city will be rebuilt on its mound;
every citadel will stand on its proper site.
19 Thanksgiving will come out of them,
a sound of rejoicing.
I will multiply them, and they will not decrease;(BH)
I will honor them, and they will not be insignificant.
20 His children will be as in past days;
his congregation will be established in my presence.
I will punish all his oppressors.(BI)
21 Jacob’s leader will be one of them;
his ruler will issue from him.
I will invite him to me, and he will approach me,(BJ)
for who would otherwise risk his life to approach me?
This is the Lord’s declaration.
22 You will be my people,
and I will be your God.(BK)
The Wrath of God
Jeremiah 29-30
New International Version
Jeremiah 29-30
New International Version
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) 2 (This was after King Jehoiachin[a](C) and the queen mother,(D) the court officials and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the skilled workers and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem.) 3 He entrusted the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It said:
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried(E) into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build(F) houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 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.(G) 7 Also, seek(H) the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray(I) to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets(J) and diviners among you deceive(K) you. Do not listen to the dreams(L) you encourage them to have.(M) 9 They are prophesying lies(N) to you in my name. I have not sent(O) them,” declares the Lord.
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years(P) are completed for Babylon, I will come to you(Q) and fulfill my good promise(R) to bring you back(S) to this place. 11 For I know the plans(T) I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper(U) you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.(V) 12 Then you will call(W) on me and come and pray(X) to me, and I will listen(Y) to you. 13 You will seek(Z) me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.(AA) 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back(AB) from captivity.[b] 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.”(AC)
15 You may say, “The Lord has raised up prophets for us in Babylon,” 16 but this is what the Lord says about the king who sits on David’s throne and all the people who remain in this city, your fellow citizens who did not go with you into exile— 17 yes, this is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will send the sword, famine and plague(AD) against them and I will make them like figs(AE) that are so bad they cannot be eaten. 18 I will pursue them with the sword, famine and plague and will make them abhorrent(AF) to all the kingdoms of the earth, a curse[c](AG) and an object of horror,(AH) of scorn(AI) and reproach, among all the nations where I drive them. 19 For they have not listened to my words,”(AJ) declares the Lord, “words that I sent to them again and again(AK) by my servants the prophets.(AL) And you exiles have not listened either,” declares the Lord.
20 Therefore, hear the word of the Lord, all you exiles whom I have sent(AM) away from Jerusalem to Babylon. 21 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies(AN) to you in my name: “I will deliver them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will put them to death before your very eyes. 22 Because of them, all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the Lord treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned(AO) in the fire.’ 23 For they have done outrageous things in Israel; they have committed adultery(AP) with their neighbors’ wives, and in my name they have uttered lies—which I did not authorize. I know(AQ) it and am a witness(AR) to it,” declares the Lord.
Message to Shemaiah
24 Tell Shemaiah the Nehelamite, 25 “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: You sent letters in your own name to all the people in Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah(AS) son of Maaseiah, and to all the other priests. You said to Zephaniah, 26 ‘The Lord has appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada to be in charge of the house of the Lord; you should put any maniac(AT) who acts like a prophet into the stocks(AU) and neck-irons. 27 So why have you not reprimanded Jeremiah from Anathoth, who poses as a prophet among you? 28 He has sent this message(AV) to us in Babylon: It will be a long time.(AW) Therefore build(AX) houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.’”
29 Zephaniah(AY) the priest, however, read the letter to Jeremiah the prophet. 30 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 31 “Send this message to all the exiles: ‘This is what the Lord says about Shemaiah(AZ) the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, even though I did not send(BA) him, and has persuaded you to trust in lies, 32 this is what the Lord says: I will surely punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants.(BB) He will have no one left among this people, nor will he see the good(BC) things I will do for my people, declares the Lord, because he has preached rebellion(BD) against me.’”
Restoration of Israel
30 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write(BE) in a book all the words I have spoken to you. 3 The days(BF) are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will bring(BG) my people Israel and Judah back from captivity[d] and restore(BH) them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess,’ says the Lord.”
4 These are the words the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah: 5 “This is what the Lord says:
“‘Cries of fear(BI) are heard—
terror, not peace.
6 Ask and see:
Can a man bear children?
Then why do I see every strong man
with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor,(BJ)
every face turned deathly pale?(BK)
7 How awful that day(BL) will be!
No other will be like it.
It will be a time of trouble(BM) for Jacob,
but he will be saved(BN) out of it.
8 “‘In that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty,
‘I will break the yoke(BO) off their necks
and will tear off their bonds;(BP)
no longer will foreigners enslave them.(BQ)
9 Instead, they will serve the Lord their God
and David(BR) their king,(BS)
whom I will raise up for them.
10 “‘So do not be afraid,(BT) Jacob my servant;(BU)
do not be dismayed, Israel,’
declares the Lord.
‘I will surely save(BV) you out of a distant place,
your descendants from the land of their exile.
Jacob will again have peace and security,(BW)
and no one will make him afraid.(BX)
11 I am with you(BY) and will save you,’
declares the Lord.
‘Though I completely destroy all the nations
among which I scatter you,
I will not completely destroy(BZ) you.
I will discipline(CA) you but only in due measure;
I will not let you go entirely unpunished.’(CB)
12 “This is what the Lord says:
“‘Your wound(CC) is incurable,
your injury beyond healing.(CD)
13 There is no one to plead your cause,(CE)
no remedy for your sore,
no healing(CF) for you.
14 All your allies(CG) have forgotten you;
they care nothing for you.
I have struck you as an enemy(CH) would
and punished you as would the cruel,(CI)
because your guilt is so great
and your sins(CJ) so many.
15 Why do you cry out over your wound,
your pain that has no cure?(CK)
Because of your great guilt and many sins
I have done these things to you.(CL)
16 “‘But all who devour(CM) you will be devoured;
all your enemies will go into exile.(CN)
Those who plunder(CO) you will be plundered;
all who make spoil of you I will despoil.
17 But I will restore you to health
and heal(CP) your wounds,’
declares the Lord,
‘because you are called an outcast,(CQ)
Zion for whom no one cares.’(CR)
18 “This is what the Lord says:
“‘I will restore the fortunes(CS) of Jacob’s tents(CT)
and have compassion(CU) on his dwellings;
the city will be rebuilt(CV) on her ruins,
and the palace will stand in its proper place.
19 From them will come songs(CW) of thanksgiving(CX)
and the sound of rejoicing.(CY)
I will add to their numbers,(CZ)
and they will not be decreased;
I will bring them honor,(DA)
and they will not be disdained.
20 Their children(DB) will be as in days of old,
and their community will be established(DC) before me;
I will punish(DD) all who oppress them.
21 Their leader(DE) will be one of their own;
their ruler will arise from among them.(DF)
I will bring him near(DG) and he will come close to me—
for who is he who will devote himself
to be close to me?’
declares the Lord.
22 “‘So you will be my people,(DH)
and I will be your God.(DI)’”
Footnotes
- Jeremiah 29:2 Hebrew Jeconiah, a variant of Jehoiachin
- Jeremiah 29:14 Or will restore your fortunes
- Jeremiah 29:18 That is, their names will be used in cursing (see verse 22); or, others will see that they are cursed.
- Jeremiah 30:3 Or will restore the fortunes of my people Israel and Judah
Philippians 1:1-18
Christian Standard Bible
Philippians 1:1-18
Christian Standard Bible
Greeting
1 Paul(A) and Timothy,(B) servants of Christ Jesus:
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi,(C) including the overseers(D) and deacons.(E)
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,[a] 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day(F) until now.(G) 6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work(H) in you[b] will carry it on to completion(I) until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 Indeed, it is right(J) for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart,[c] and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment(K) and in the defense(L) and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness,(M) how deeply I miss all of you(N) with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And I pray this: that your love(O) will keep on growing(P) in knowledge and every kind of discernment,(Q) 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior(R) and may be pure(S) and blameless(T) in the day of Christ,(U) 11 filled with the fruit(V) of righteousness(W) that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory(X) and praise of God.
Advance of the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel,(Y) 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. 14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word[d](Z) fearlessly. 15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry,(AA) but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love,(AB) knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition,(AC) not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives(AD) or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice
Read full chapter
Philippians 1:1-18
New International Version
Philippians 1:1-18
New International Version
1 Paul and Timothy,(A) servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people(B) in Christ Jesus at Philippi,(C) together with the overseers(D) and deacons[a]:(E)
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(F)
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you.(G) 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray(H) with joy 5 because of your partnership(I) in the gospel from the first day(J) until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion(K) until the day of Christ Jesus.(L)
7 It is right(M) for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart(N) and, whether I am in chains(O) or defending(P) and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify(Q) how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love(R) may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,(S) 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,(T) 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness(U) that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[b] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains(V) for Christ. 14 And because of my chains,(W) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.(X)
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.(Y) 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,(Z) not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.(AA) 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Footnotes
- Philippians 1:1 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Romans 16:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.
- Philippians 1:12 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 14; and in 3:1, 13, 17; 4:1, 8, 21.
- Philippians 1:13 Or whole palace
Psalm 116:11-19
Christian Standard Bible
Psalm 116:11-19
Christian Standard Bible
11 In my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”(A)
12 How can I repay the Lord
for all the good he has done for me?(B)
13 I will take the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.(C)
14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.(D)
15 The death of his faithful ones
is valuable in the Lord’s sight.(E)
16 Lord, I am indeed your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your female servant.
You have loosened my bonds.(F)
17 I will offer you a thanksgiving sacrifice
and call on the name of the Lord.(G)
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,(H)
19 in the courts of the Lord’s house—
within you, Jerusalem.(I)
Hallelujah!
Psalm 116:11-19
New International Version
Psalm 116:11-19
New International Version
11 in my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”(A)
12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness(B) to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name(C) of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows(D) to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight(E) of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants.(F)
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;(G)
I serve you just as my mother did;(H)
you have freed me from my chains.(I)
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering(J) to you
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows(K) to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts(L) of the house of the Lord—
in your midst, Jerusalem.(M)
Praise the Lord.[a]
Footnotes
- Psalm 116:19 Hebrew Hallelu Yah
Proverbs 25:3-4
Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 25:3-4
Christian Standard Bible
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated.
Proverbs 25:3-4
New International Version
Proverbs 25:3-4
New International Version
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.