Message to Baruch

45 The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to (A)Baruch the son of Neriah, (B)when he wrote these words in a book at the dictation of Jeremiah, (C)in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: You said, (D)‘Woe is me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain. (E)I am weary with my groaning, (F)and I find no rest.’ Thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord: (G)Behold, what I have built I am breaking down, and what I have planted I am plucking up—that is, the whole land. And (H)do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, (I)I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I will give you (J)your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.”

A final word for Baruch

45 In the fourth year of Judah’s King Jehoiakim, Josiah’s son, Baruch was writing in a scroll the words that Jeremiah was dictating to him. Jeremiah the prophet told Baruch, Neriah’s son: This is what the Lord the God of Israel proclaims about you, Baruch: You have said, “I can’t take it anymore! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain. I’m worn out from groaning and can find no rest.” This is what you should say to him: “The Lord proclaims: I’m breaking down everything I have built up. I’m digging up that which I have planted—the entire land. You seek great things for yourself, but don’t bother. I’m bringing disaster on all humanity, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.”