Jeremiah 29:1-13 ▼

1 And these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders of the captivity, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had removed from Jerusalem to Babylon

2 (after the going forth of Jeconiah the king, and the queen mother, and the eunuchs, and the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen, and the smiths, from Jerusalem).

3 By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, to Babylon, saying:

4 Thus says YHWH of Hosts, the God of Israel, to all the captive ones, whom I caused to be removed from Jerusalem to Babylon:

5 “Build houses and dwell, and plant gardens and eat their fruit.

6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters, and take for your? sons wives, and your? daughters give to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters and multiply there, so that you? shall not decrease.

7 And seek the peace of the city to which I have caused you? to be removed, and pray on its behalf to YHWH for in its peace, there shall be unto you? peace.”

8 For thus says YHWH of Hosts, the God of Israel: “Do not let your? prophets and your? diviners that are among you? deceive you?, and do not listen to your? dreams that you? cause to be dreamed.

9 For falsely they prophesy to you? in My name; I have not sent them, a declaration of YHWH.”

10 For thus says YHWH: “Surely after seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you? and perform My good word over you?, to make you? return to this place.

11 For I know the plans that I think toward you?, a declaration of YHWH, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give to you? a future and a hope.

12 And you? will call Me and will go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you?.

13 And you? will seek Me and you? will find, when you? search for Me with all your? heart.