Jer.27.1

Early in the reign of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, Jeremiah received this Message from GOD:

Jer.27.1

Early in the reign of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD:

Jer.27.1

In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

Jer.27.1

This message came to Jeremiah from the LORD early in the reign of Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah.

Jer.27.2

"Make a harness and a yoke and then harness yourself up.

Jer.27.2

This is what the LORD said to me: "Make a yoke out of straps and crossbars and put it on your neck.

Jer.27.2

"Thus says the LORD to me: "Make for yourselves bonds and yokes, and put them on your neck,

Jer.27.2

The LORD said to me, "Make a yoke, and fasten it on your neck with leather thongs.

Jer.27.3

Send a message to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon. Send it through their ambassadors who have come to Jerusalem to see Zedekiah king of Judah.

Jer.27.3

Then send word to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Sidon through the envoys who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah.

Jer.27.3

and send them to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon, by the hand of the messengers who come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah.

Jer.27.3

Then send messages to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through their ambassadors to King Zedekiah in Jerusalem.

Jer.27.4

Give them this charge to take back to their masters: "This is a Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel. Tell your masters:

Jer.27.4

Give them a message for their masters and say, 'This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Tell this to your masters:

Jer.27.4

And command them to say to their masters, "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel--thus you shall say to your masters:

Jer.27.4

Give them this message for their masters: `This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says:

Jer.27.5

I'm the one who made the earth, man and woman, and all the animals in the world. I did it on my own without asking anyone's help and I hand it out to whomever I will.

Jer.27.5

With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please.

Jer.27.5

"I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me.

Jer.27.5

By my great power I have made the earth and all its people and every animal. I can give these things of mine to anyone I choose.

Jer.27.6

Here and now I give all these lands over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have made even the wild animals subject to him.

Jer.27.6

Now I will hand all your countries over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him.

Jer.27.6

And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant; and the beasts of the field I have also given him to serve him.

Jer.27.6

Now I will give your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who is my servant. I have put everything, even the wild animals, under his control.

Jer.27.7

All nations will be under him, then his son, and then his grandson. Then his country's time will be up and the tables will be turned: Babylon will be the underdog servant.

Jer.27.7

All nations will serve him and his son and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate him.

Jer.27.7

So all nations shall serve him and his son and his son's son, until the time of his land comes; and then many nations and great kings shall make him serve them.

Jer.27.7

All the nations will serve him and his son and his grandson until his time is up. But then many nations and great kings will conquer and rule over Babylon.

Jer.27.8

But until then, any nation or kingdom that won't submit to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon must take the yoke of the king of Babylon and harness up. I'll punish that nation with war and starvation and disease until I've got them where I want them.

Jer.27.8

"'"If, however, any nation or kingdom will not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon or bow its neck under his yoke, I will punish that nation with the sword, famine and plague, declares the LORD, until I destroy it by his hand.

Jer.27.8

And it shall be, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and which will not put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation I will punish,' says the LORD, "with the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.

Jer.27.8

So you must submit to Babylon's king and serve him; put your neck under Babylon's yoke! I will punish any nation that refuses to be his slave, says the LORD. I will send war, famine, and disease upon that nation until Babylon has conquered it.

Jer.27.9

So don't for a minute listen to all your prophets and spiritualists and fortunetellers, who claim to know the future and who tell you not to give in to the king of Babylon.

Jer.27.9

So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers who tell you, 'You will not serve the king of Babylon.'

Jer.27.9

Therefore do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your soothsayers, or your sorcerers, who speak to you, saying, "You shall not serve the king of Babylon."

Jer.27.9

" `Do not listen to your false prophets, fortune-tellers, interpreters of dreams, mediums, and sorcerers who say, "The king of Babylon will not conquer you."

Jer.27.10

They're handing you a line of lies, barefaced lies, that will end up putting you in exile far from home. I myself will drive you out of your lands, and that'll be the end of you.

Jer.27.10

They prophesy lies to you that will only serve to remove you far from your lands; I will banish you and you will perish.

Jer.27.10

For they prophesy a lie to you, to remove you far from your land; and I will drive you out, and you will perish.

Jer.27.10

They are all liars, and I will drive you from your land and send you far away to die.

Jer.27.11

But the nation that accepts the yoke of the king of Babylon and does what he says, I'll let that nation stay right where it is, minding its own business.'"

Jer.27.11

But if any nation will bow its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let that nation remain in its own land to till it and to live there, declares the LORD."'"

Jer.27.11

But the nations that bring their necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let them remain in their own land,' says the LORD, "and they shall till it and dwell in it."""

Jer.27.11

But the people of any nation that submits to the king of Babylon will be allowed to stay in their own country to farm the land as usual. I, the LORD, have spoken!'"

Jer.27.12

Then I gave this same message to Zedekiah king of Judah: "Harness yourself up to the yoke of the king of Babylon. Serve him and his people. Live a long life!

Jer.27.12

I gave the same message to Zedekiah king of Judah. I said, "Bow your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and you will live.

Jer.27.12

I also spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, "Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live!

Jer.27.12

Then I repeated this same message to King Zedekiah of Judah. "If you want to live, submit to the king of Babylon and his people," I said.

Jer.27.13

Why choose to get killed or starve to death or get sick and die, which is what GOD has threatened to any nation that won't throw its lot in with Babylon?

Jer.27.13

Why will you and your people die by the sword, famine and plague with which the LORD has threatened any nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?

Jer.27.13

Why will you die, you and your people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD has spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?

Jer.27.13

"Why do you insist on dying--you and your people? Why should you choose war, famine, and disease, which the LORD will bring against every nation that refuses to submit to Babylon's king?

Jer.27.14

Don't listen to the prophets who are telling you not to submit to the king of Babylon. They're telling you lies, preaching lies.

Jer.27.14

Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, 'You will not serve the king of Babylon,' for they are prophesying lies to you.

Jer.27.14

Therefore do not listen to the words of the prophets who speak to you, saying, "You shall not serve the king of Babylon,' for they prophesy a lie to you;

Jer.27.14

Do not listen to the false prophets who keep telling you, `The king of Babylon will not conquer you.' They are liars.

Jer.27.15

GOD's Word on this is, "I didn't send those prophets, but they keep preaching lies, claiming I sent them. If you listen to them, I'll end up driving you out of here and that will be the end of you, both you and the lying prophets.'"

Jer.27.15

'I have not sent them,' declares the LORD. 'They are prophesying lies in my name. Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you.'"

Jer.27.15

for I have not sent them," says the LORD, "yet they prophesy a lie in My name, that I may drive you out, and that you may perish, you and the prophets who prophesy to you."

Jer.27.15

This is what the LORD says: I have not sent these prophets! They are telling you lies in my name, so I will drive you from this land. You will all die--you and all these prophets, too."

Jer.27.16

And finally I spoke to the priests and the people at large: "This is GOD's Message: Don't listen to the preaching of the prophets who keep telling you, "Trust us: The furnishings, plundered from GOD's Temple, are going to be returned from Babylon any day now.' That's a lie.

Jer.27.16

Then I said to the priests and all these people, "This is what the LORD says: Do not listen to the prophets who say, 'Very soon now the articles from the LORD's house will be brought back from Babylon.' They are prophesying lies to you.

Jer.27.16

Also I spoke to the priests and to all this people, saying, "Thus says the LORD: "Do not listen to the words of your prophets who prophesy to you, saying, "Behold, the vessels of the LORD's house will now shortly be brought back from Babylon"; for they prophesy a lie to you.

Jer.27.16

Then I spoke to the priests and the people and said, "This is what the LORD says: Do not listen to your prophets who claim that soon the gold utensils taken from my Temple will be returned from Babylon. It is all a lie!

Jer.27.17

Don't listen to them. Submit to the king of Babylon and live a long life. Why do something that will destroy this city and leave it a heap of rubble?

Jer.27.17

Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon, and you will live. Why should this city become a ruin?

Jer.27.17

Do not listen to them; serve the king of Babylon, and live! Why should this city be laid waste?

Jer.27.17

Do not listen to them. Surrender to the king of Babylon, and you will live. Why should this whole city be destroyed?

Jer.27.18

If they are real prophets and have a Message from GOD, let them come to GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies in prayer so that the furnishings that are still left in GOD's Temple, the king's palace, and Jerusalem aren't also lost to Babylon.

Jer.27.18

If they are prophets and have the word of the LORD, let them plead with the LORD Almighty that the furnishings remaining in the house of the LORD and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem not be taken to Babylon.

Jer.27.18

But if they are prophets, and if the word of the LORD is with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, do not go to Babylon.'

Jer.27.18

If they really are the LORD's prophets, let them pray to the LORD Almighty about the gold utensils that are still left in the LORD's Temple and in the king's palace and in the palaces of Jerusalem. Let them pray that these remaining articles will not be carried away with you to Babylon!

Jer.27.19

That's because GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies has already spoken about the Temple furnishings that remain--the pillars, the great bronze basin, the stands, and all the other bowls and chalices

Jer.27.19

For this is what the LORD Almighty says about the pillars, the Sea, the movable stands and the other furnishings that are left in this city,

Jer.27.19

"For thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, concerning the Sea, concerning the carts, and concerning the remainder of the vessels that remain in this city,

Jer.27.19

"For this is what the LORD Almighty says about the bronze pillars in front of the Temple, the bronze Sea in the Temple courtyard, the bronze water carts, and all the other ceremonial articles.

Jer.27.20

that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon didn't take when he took Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim off to Babylonian exile along with all the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem.

Jer.27.20

which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take away when he carried Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, along with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem-

Jer.27.20

which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem--

Jer.27.20

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon left them here when he exiled Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, to Babylon, along with all the other important people of Judah and Jerusalem.

Jer.27.21

He said that the furnishings left behind in the Temple of GOD and in the royal palace and in Jerusalem

Jer.27.21

yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says about the things that are left in the house of the LORD and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem:

Jer.27.21

yes, thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem:

Jer.27.21

Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says about the precious things kept in the Temple and in the palace of Judah's king:

Jer.27.22

will be taken off to Babylon and stay there until, in GOD's words, "I take the matter up again and bring them back where they belong.'"

Jer.27.22

'They will be taken to Babylon and there they will remain until the day I come for them,' declares the LORD. 'Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.'"

Jer.27.22

"They shall be carried to Babylon, and there they shall be until the day that I visit them,' says the LORD. "Then I will bring them up and restore them to this place."'

Jer.27.22

They will all be carried away to Babylon and will stay there until I send for them, says the LORD. But someday I will bring them back to Jerusalem again."

Jer.28.1

Later that same year (it was in the fifth month of King Zedekiah's fourth year) Hananiah son of Azzur, a prophet from Gibeon, confronted Jeremiah in the Temple of GOD in front of the priests and all the people who were there.

Jer.28.1

In the fifth month of that same year, the fourth year, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, who was from Gibeon, said to me in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and all the people:

Jer.28.1

And it happened in the same year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, who was from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,

Jer.28.1

One day in late summer of that same year--the fourth year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah--Hananiah son of Azzur, a prophet from Gibeon, addressed me publicly in the Temple while all the priests and people listened. He said,

Jer.28.2

Hananiah said: "This Message is straight from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel: "I will most certainly break the yoke of the king of Babylon.

Jer.28.2

"This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.

Jer.28.2

"Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying: "I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.

Jer.28.2

"The LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will remove the yoke of the king of Babylon from your necks.

Jer.28.3

Before two years are out I'll have all the furnishings of GOD's Temple back here, all the things that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon plundered and hauled off to Babylon.

Jer.28.3

Within two years I will bring back to this place all the articles of the LORD's house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon removed from here and took to Babylon.

Jer.28.3

Within two full years I will bring back to this place all the vessels of the LORD's house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon.

Jer.28.3

Within two years, I will bring back all the Temple treasures that King Nebuchadnezzar carried off to Babylon.

Jer.28.4

I'll also bring back Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and all the exiles who were taken off to Babylon.' GOD's Decree. "Yes, I will break the king of Babylon's yoke. You'll no longer be in harness to him.'"

Jer.28.4

I will also bring back to this place Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and all the other exiles from Judah who went to Babylon,' declares the LORD, 'for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.'"

Jer.28.4

And I will bring back to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah who went to Babylon,' says the LORD, "for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon."'

Jer.28.4

And I will bring back Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the other captives that were taken to Babylon. I will surely break the yoke that the king of Babylon has put on your necks. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Jer.28.5

Prophet Jeremiah stood up to Prophet Hananiah in front of the priests and all the people who were in GOD's Temple that day.

Jer.28.5

Then the prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah before the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the LORD.

Jer.28.5

Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and in the presence of all the people who stood in the house of the LORD,

Jer.28.5

Jeremiah responded to Hananiah as they stood in front of all the priests and people at the Temple.

Jer.28.6

Prophet Jeremiah said, "Wonderful! Would that it were true--that GOD would validate your preaching by bringing the Temple furnishings and all the exiles back from Babylon.

Jer.28.6

He said, "Amen! May the LORD do so! May the LORD fulfill the words you have prophesied by bringing the articles of the LORD's house and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon.

Jer.28.6

and the prophet Jeremiah said, "Amen! The LORD do so; the LORD perform your words which you have prophesied, to bring back the vessels of the LORD's house and all who were carried away captive, from Babylon to this place.

Jer.28.6

He said, "Amen! May your prophecies come true! I hope the LORD does everything you say. I hope he does bring back from Babylon the treasures of this Temple and all our loved ones.

Jer.28.7

But listen to me, listen closely. Listen to what I tell both you and all the people here today:

Jer.28.7

Nevertheless, listen to what I have to say in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people:

Jer.28.7

Nevertheless hear now this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people:

Jer.28.7

But listen now to the solemn words I speak to you in the presence of all these people.

Jer.28.8

The old prophets, the ones before our time, preached judgment against many countries and kingdoms, warning of war and disaster and plague.

Jer.28.8

From early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms.

Jer.28.8

The prophets who have been before me and before you of old prophesied against many countries and great kingdoms--of war and disaster and pestilence.

Jer.28.8

The ancient prophets who preceded you and me spoke against many nations, always warning of war, famine, and disease.

Jer.28.9

So any prophet who preaches that everything is just fine and there's nothing to worry about stands out like a sore thumb. We'll wait and see. If it happens, it happens--and then we'll know that GOD sent him."

Jer.28.9

But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true."

Jer.28.9

As for the prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet comes to pass, the prophet will be known as one whom the LORD has truly sent."

Jer.28.9

So a prophet who predicts peace must carry the burden of proof. Only when his predictions come true can it be known that he is really from the LORD."

Jer.28.10

At that, Hananiah grabbed the yoke from Jeremiah's shoulders and smashed it.

Jer.28.10

Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it,

Jer.28.10

Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke off the prophet Jeremiah's neck and broke it.

Jer.28.10

Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke off Jeremiah's neck and broke it.

Jer.28.11

And then he addressed the people: "This is GOD's Message: In just this way I will smash the yoke of the king of Babylon and get him off the neck of all the nations--and within two years." Jeremiah walked out.

Jer.28.11

and he said before all the people, "This is what the LORD says: 'In the same way will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon off the neck of all the nations within two years.'" At this, the prophet Jeremiah went on his way.

Jer.28.11

And Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, "Thus says the LORD: "Even so I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years."' And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.

Jer.28.11

And Hananiah said again to the crowd that had gathered, "The LORD has promised that within two years he will break the yoke of oppression from all the nations now subject to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon." At that, Jeremiah left the Temple area.

Jer.28.12

Later, sometime after Hananiah had smashed the yoke from off his shoulders, Jeremiah received this Message from GOD:

Jer.28.12

Shortly after the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:

Jer.28.12

Now the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,

Jer.28.12

Soon afterward the LORD gave this message to Jeremiah:

Jer.28.13

"Go back to Hananiah and tell him, "This is GOD's Message: You smashed the wooden yoke-bars; now you've got iron yoke-bars.

Jer.28.13

"Go and tell Hananiah, 'This is what the LORD says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but in its place you will get a yoke of iron.

Jer.28.13

"Go and tell Hananiah, saying, "Thus says the LORD: "You have broken the yokes of wood, but you have made in their place yokes of iron."

Jer.28.13

"Go and tell Hananiah, `This is what the LORD says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but you have replaced it with a yoke of iron.

Jer.28.14

This is a Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel's own God: I've put an iron yoke on all these nations. They're harnessed to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. They'll do just what he tells them. Why, I'm even putting him in charge of the wild animals.'"

Jer.28.14

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will put an iron yoke on the necks of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I will even give him control over the wild animals.'"

Jer.28.14

For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him. I have given him the beasts of the field also.""'

Jer.28.14

The LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I have put a yoke of iron on the necks of all these nations, forcing them into slavery under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I have put everything, even the wild animals, under his control.'"

Jer.28.15

So prophet Jeremiah told prophet Hananiah, "Hold it, Hananiah! GOD never sent you. You've talked the whole country into believing a pack of lies!

Jer.28.15

Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, "Listen, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies.

Jer.28.15

Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, "Hear now, Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, but you make this people trust in a lie.

Jer.28.15

Then Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah, "Listen, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, but the people believe your lies.

Jer.28.16

And so GOD says, "You claim to be sent? I'll send you all right--right off the face of the earth! Before the year is out, you'll be dead because you fomented sedition against GOD.'"

Jer.28.16

Therefore, this is what the LORD says: 'I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.'"

Jer.28.16

Therefore thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will cast you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have taught rebellion against the LORD."'

Jer.28.16

Therefore, the LORD says you must die. Your life will end this very year because you have rebelled against the LORD."

Jer.28.17

Prophet Hananiah died that very year, in the seventh month.

Jer.28.17

In the seventh month of that same year, Hananiah the prophet died.

Jer.28.17

So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.

Jer.28.17

Two months later, Hananiah died.

Jer.29.1

This is the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to what was left of the elders among the exiles, to the priests and prophets and all the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken to Babylon from Jerusalem,

Jer.29.1

This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Jer.29.1

Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive--to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Jer.29.1

Jeremiah wrote a letter from Jerusalem to the elders, priests, prophets, and all the people who had been exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.

Jer.29.2

including King Jehoiachin, the queen mother, the government leaders, and all the skilled laborers and craftsmen.

Jer.29.2

(This was after King Jehoiachin and the queen mother, the court officials and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem.)

Jer.29.2

(This happened after Jeconiah the king, the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.)

Jer.29.2

This was after King Jehoiachin, the queen mother, the court officials, the leaders of Judah, and all the craftsmen had been deported from Jerusalem.

Jer.29.3

The letter was carried by Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah had sent to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. The letter said:

Jer.29.3

He entrusted the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It said:

Jer.29.3

The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying,

Jer.29.3

He sent the letter with Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, when they went to Babylon as King Zedekiah's ambassadors to Nebuchadnezzar. This is what Jeremiah's letter said:

Jer.29.4

This is the Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel's God, to all the exiles I've taken from Jerusalem to Babylon:

Jer.29.4

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:

Jer.29.4

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:

Jer.29.4

The LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, sends this message to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem:

Jer.29.5

"Build houses and make yourselves at home. "Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country.

Jer.29.5

"Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.

Jer.29.5

Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit.

Jer.29.5

"Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food you produce.

Jer.29.6

"Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you'll thrive in that country and not waste away.

Jer.29.6

Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.

Jer.29.6

Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters--that you may be increased there, and not diminished.

Jer.29.6

Marry, and have children. Then find spouses for them, and have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away!

Jer.29.7

"Make yourselves at home there and work for the country's welfare. "Pray for Babylon's well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you."

Jer.29.7

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

Jer.29.7

And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

Jer.29.7

And work for the peace and prosperity of Babylon. Pray to the LORD for that city where you are held captive, for if Babylon has peace, so will you."

Jer.29.8

Yes. Believe it or not, this is the Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel's God: "Don't let all those so-called preachers and know-it--alls who are all over the place there take you in with their lies. Don't pay any attention to the fantasies they keep coming up with to please you.

Jer.29.8

Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.

Jer.29.8

For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.

Jer.29.8

The LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says, "Do not let the prophets and mediums who are there in Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams

Jer.29.9

They're a bunch of liars preaching lies--and claiming I sent them! I never sent them, believe me." GOD's Decree!

Jer.29.9

They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them," declares the LORD.

Jer.29.9

For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the LORD.

Jer.29.9

because they prophesy lies in my name. I have not sent them," says the LORD.

Jer.29.10

This is GOD's Word on the subject: "As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home.

Jer.29.10

This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.

Jer.29.10

For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.

Jer.29.10

"The truth is that you will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.

Jer.29.11

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

Jer.29.11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jer.29.11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jer.29.11

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jer.29.12

"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen.

Jer.29.12

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

Jer.29.12

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Jer.29.12

In those days when you pray, I will listen.

Jer.29.13

"When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else,

Jer.29.13

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jer.29.13

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

Jer.29.13

If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.

Jer.29.14

I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." GOD's Decree. "I'll turn things around for you. I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you"--GOD's Decree--"bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.

Jer.29.14

I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

Jer.29.14

I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

Jer.29.14

I will be found by you," says the LORD. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land."

Jer.29.15

"But for right now, because you've taken up with these newfangled prophets who set themselves up as "Babylonian specialists,' spreading the word "GOD sent them just for us!'

Jer.29.15

You may say, "The LORD has raised up prophets for us in Babylon,"

Jer.29.15

Because you have said, "The LORD has raised up prophets for us in Babylon"--

Jer.29.15

You may claim that the LORD has raised up prophets for you in Babylon.

Jer.29.16

GOD is setting the record straight: As for the king still sitting on David's throne and all the people left in Jerusalem who didn't go into exile with you, they're facing bad times.

Jer.29.16

but this is what the LORD says about the king who sits on David's throne and all the people who remain in this city, your countrymen who did not go with you into exile-

Jer.29.16

therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king who sits on the throne of David, concerning all the people who dwell in this city, and concerning your brethren who have not gone out with you into captivity--

Jer.29.16

But this is what the LORD says about the king who sits on David's throne and all those still living here in Jerusalem--your relatives who were not exiled to Babylon.

Jer.29.17

GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies says, "Watch this! Catastrophe is on the way: war, hunger, disease! They're a barrel of rotten apples.

Jer.29.17

yes, this is what the LORD Almighty says: "I will send the sword, famine and plague against them and I will make them like poor figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten.

Jer.29.17

thus says the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will send on them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like rotten figs that cannot be eaten, they are so bad.

Jer.29.17

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I will send war, famine, and disease upon them and make them like rotting figs--too bad to eat.

Jer.29.18

I'll rid the country of them through war and hunger and disease. The whole world is going to hold its nose at the smell, shut its eyes at the horrible sight. They'll end up in slum ghettos

Jer.29.18

I will pursue them with the sword, famine and plague and will make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth and an object of cursing and horror, of scorn and reproach, among all the nations where I drive them.

Jer.29.18

And I will pursue them with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence; and I will deliver them to trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth--to be a curse, an astonishment, a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them,

Jer.29.18

Yes, I will pursue them with war, famine, and disease, and I will scatter them around the world. In every nation where I send them, I will make them an object of damnation, horror, contempt, and mockery.

Jer.29.19

because they wouldn't listen to a thing I said when I sent my servant-prophets preaching tirelessly and urgently. No, they wouldn't listen to a word I said.'" GOD's Decree.

Jer.29.19

For they have not listened to my words," declares the LORD, "words that I sent to them again and again by my servants the prophets. And you exiles have not listened either," declares the LORD.

Jer.29.19

because they have not heeded My words, says the LORD, which I sent to them by My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; neither would you heed, says the LORD.

Jer.29.19

For they refuse to listen to me, though I have spoken to them repeatedly through my prophets. And you who are in exile have not listened either," says the LORD.

Jer.29.20

"And you--you exiles whom I sent out of Jerusalem to Babylon--listen to GOD's Message to you.

Jer.29.20

Therefore, hear the word of the LORD, all you exiles whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Jer.29.20

Therefore hear the word of the LORD, all you of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Jer.29.20

Therefore, listen to this message from the LORD, all you captives there in Babylon.

Jer.29.21

As far as Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah are concerned, the "Babylonian specialists' who are preaching lies in my name, I will turn them over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will kill them while you watch.

Jer.29.21

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies to you in my name: "I will hand them over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will put them to death before your very eyes.

Jer.29.21

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a lie to you in My name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall slay them before your eyes.

Jer.29.21

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says about your prophets--Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah--who are telling you lies in my name: "I will turn them over to Nebuchadnezzar for a public execution.

Jer.29.22

The exiles from Judah will take what they see at the execution and use it as a curse: "GOD fry you to a crisp like the king of Babylon fried Zedekiah and Ahab in the fire!'

Jer.29.22

Because of them, all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: 'The LORD treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned in the fire.'

Jer.29.22

And because of them a curse shall be taken up by all the captivity of Judah who are in Babylon, saying, "The LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire";

Jer.29.22

Their terrible fate will become proverbial, so that whenever the Judean exiles want to curse someone they will say, `May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned alive!'

Jer.29.23

Those two men, sex predators and prophet-impostors, got what they deserved. They pulled every woman they got their hands on into bed--their neighbors' wives, no less--and preached lies claiming it was my Message. I never sent those men. I've never had anything to do with them." GOD's Decree. "They won't get away with a thing. I've witnessed it all."

Jer.29.23

For they have done outrageous things in Israel; they have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives and in my name have spoken lies, which I did not tell them to do. I know it and am a witness to it," declares the LORD.

Jer.29.23

because they have done disgraceful things in Israel, have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and have spoken lying words in My name, which I have not commanded them. Indeed I know, and am a witness, says the LORD.

Jer.29.23

For these men have done terrible things among my people. They have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives and have lied in my name. I am a witness to this," says the LORD.