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59 This is the order Jeremiah the prophet gave to Seraiah son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, when he went to King Zedekiah of Judah in Babylon during the fourth year of his reign.[a] (Seraiah was a quartermaster.)[b] 60 Jeremiah recorded[c] on one scroll all the judgments[d] that would come upon Babylon—all these prophecies[e] written about Babylon. 61 Then Jeremiah said to Seraiah, “When you arrive in Babylon, make sure[f] you read aloud all these prophecies.[g] 62 Then say, ‘O Lord, you have announced that you will destroy this place so that no people or animals live in it any longer. Certainly it will lie desolate forever!’ 63 When you finish reading this scroll aloud, tie a stone to it and throw it into the middle of the Euphrates River.[h] 64 Then say, ‘In the same way Babylon will sink and never rise again because of the disaster I am ready to bring upon her; they will grow faint.’”

The prophecies of Jeremiah end here.[i]

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 51:59 sn This would be 582 b.c.
  2. Jeremiah 51:59 tn Heb “an officer of rest.”
  3. Jeremiah 51:60 tn Or “wrote.”
  4. Jeremiah 51:60 tn Or “disaster”; or “calamity.”
  5. Jeremiah 51:60 tn Heb “words” (or “things”).
  6. Jeremiah 51:61 tn Heb “see [that].”
  7. Jeremiah 51:61 tn Heb “words” (or “things”).
  8. Jeremiah 51:63 tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text but has been supplied for clarity.
  9. Jeremiah 51:64 sn The final chapter of the book of Jeremiah does not mention Jeremiah or record any of his prophecies.

59 The word that Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah (A)the son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah king of Judah to Babylon, (B)in the fourth year of his reign. Seraiah was the quartermaster. 60 (C)Jeremiah wrote in a book all the disaster that should come upon Babylon, (D)all these words that are written concerning Babylon. 61 And Jeremiah said to Seraiah: “When you come to Babylon, see that you read all these words, 62 and say, ‘O Lord, you have said concerning this place that you will cut it off, so (E)that nothing shall dwell in it, neither man nor beast, and it shall be (F)desolate forever.’ 63 When you finish reading this book, (G)(H)tie a stone to it (I)and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates, 64 and say, (J)‘Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, (K)and they shall become exhausted.’”

Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.

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