Jeremiah’s Letter to the Exiles
1The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles Nebuchadnezzar had carried off from Jerusalem to Babylon. It was addressed to the elders who were left among the exiles, to the priests, to the prophets, and to all the other people who were exiled in Babylon.
2He sent it after King Jeconiah, the queen mother, the palace officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had been exiled from Jerusalem.
3He sent it with Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah. King Zedekiah of Judah had sent these men to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The letter said:
4“The
5‘Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what they produce.
6Marry and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and allow your daughters get married so that they too can have sons and daughters. Grow in number; do not dwindle away.
7Work to see that the city where I sent you as exiles enjoys peace and prosperity. Pray to the
8“For the
9They are prophesying lies to you and claiming my authority to do so. But I did not send them. I, the
10“For the
11For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the
12When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers.
13When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul,
14I will make myself available to you,’ says the
15“You say, ‘The
16But just listen to what the
17The
18I will chase after them with war, starvation, and disease. I will make all the kingdoms of the earth horrified at what happens to them. I will make them examples of those who are cursed, objects of horror, hissing scorn, and ridicule among all the nations where I exile them.
19For they have not paid attention to what I said to them through my servants the prophets whom I sent to them over and over again,’ says the
20‘So pay attention to what I, the
21“The
22And all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use them as examples when they put a curse on anyone. They will say, “May the
23This will happen to them because they have done what is shameful in Israel. They have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have spoken lies while claiming my authority. They have spoken words that I did not command them to speak. I know what they have done. I have been a witness to it,’ says the
A Response to the Letter and a Subsequent Letter
24The
25that the
26“The
27You should have reprimanded Jeremiah from Anathoth who is pretending to be a prophet among you!
28For he has even sent a message to us here in Babylon. He wrote and told us, “You will be there a long time. Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what they produce.”’”
29Zephaniah the priest read that letter to the prophet Jeremiah.
30Then the
31“Send a message to all the exiles in Babylon. Tell them, ‘The
32Because he has done this,” the