1This is the message that the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Baruch, son of Neriah. Baruch wrote these things on a scroll as Jeremiah dictated them during the fourth year that Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, was king of Judah. Jeremiah said,
2"This is what the LORD God of Israel says to you, Baruch:
3You said, ‘I’m so miserable! The LORD has added grief to my pain. I’m worn out from groaning. I can’t find any rest.’
4"Say this to Baruch, ‘This is what the LORD says: I will tear down what I have built. I will uproot what I have planted throughout the earth.
5Are you looking for great things for yourself? Don’t look for them, because I’m going to bring disaster on all people, declares the LORD. But wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.’"