Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles

Jeremiah 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 a carried away captive - to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 (This happened after b Jeconiah 1 the king, the c queen mother, the 2 eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.) 3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of d Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying, 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: 5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 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. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, e and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. 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 f deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy g falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the LORD.

10 For thus says the LORD: After h seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to i return to this place. 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. 12 Then you will j call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will k listen to you. 13 And l you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me m with all your heart. 14 n I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; o 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.

15 Because you have said, "The LORD has raised up prophets for us in Babylon" - 16 p 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 - 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 q rotten figs that cannot be eaten, they are so bad. 18 And I will pursue them with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence; and I r will deliver them to trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth - to be s a curse, an astonishment, a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them, 19 because they have not heeded My words, says the LORD, which t I sent to them by My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; neither would you heed, says the LORD. 20 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, all you of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon. 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 u 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. 22 v 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, w whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire"; 23 because x 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 y know, and am a witness, says the LORD.

  1. Cross References
    Jeremiah 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 -
  2. Cross References
    2 Kings 24:12 - 16
    Then Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers went out to the king of Babylon; and the king of Babylon, in the eighth year of his reign, took him prisoner.
    2 Chronicles 36:9
    Jehoiachin was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD.
    2 Chronicles 36:10
    At the turn of the year King Nebuchadnezzar summoned him and took him to Babylon, with the costly articles from the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah, Jehoiakim's brother, king over Judah and Jerusalem.
    Jeremiah 22:24 - 28
    As I live," says the LORD, "though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, were the signet on My right hand, yet I would pluck you off.
  3. Cross References
    2 Kings 24:12
    Then Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers went out to the king of Babylon; and the king of Babylon, in the eighth year of his reign, took him prisoner.
    2 Kings 24:15
    And he carried Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. The king's mother, the king's wives, his officers, and the mighty of the land he carried into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
    Jeremiah 13:18
    Say to the king and to the queen mother, "Humble yourselves; Sit down, For your rule shall collapse, the crown of your glory.
  4. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 34:8
    In the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.
  5. Cross References
    Ezra 6:10
    That they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons.
    Nehemiah 1:4 - 11
    So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
    Daniel 9:16
    O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us.
    1 Timothy 2:2
    For kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
  6. Cross References
    Jeremiah 14:14
    And the LORD said to me, "The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart.
    Jeremiah 23:21
    I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
    Jeremiah 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.
    Jeremiah 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."
    Ephesians 5:6
    Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
  7. Cross References
    Jeremiah 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.
    Jeremiah 37:19
    Where now are your prophets who prophesied to you, saying, 'The king of Babylon will not come against you or against this land'?
  8. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 36:21 - 23
    To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of...
    Ezra 1:1 - 4
    Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, ...
    Jeremiah 25:12
    Then it will come to pass, when seventy years a...
    Jeremiah 27:22
    'They shall be carried to Babylon, and there th...
    Daniel 9:2
    In the first year of his reign I, Daniel, under...
    Zechariah 7:5
    Say to all the people of the land, and to the p...
  9. Cross References
    Jeremiah 24:6
    For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up.
    Jeremiah 24:7
    Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.
    Zephaniah 2:7
    The coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; They shall feed their flocks there; In the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening. For the LORD their God will intervene for them, And return their captives.
  10. Cross References
    Psalms 50:15
    Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.
    Jeremiah 33:3
    'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
    Daniel 9:3
    Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 145:19
    He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.
  12. Cross References
    Leviticus 26:39 - 42
    And those of you who are left shall waste away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; also in their fathers' iniquities, which are with them, they shall waste away.
    Deuteronomy 30:1 - 3
    Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the LORD your God drives you.
  13. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 22:19
    "Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the LORD."
    2 Chronicles 22:9
    Then he searched for Ahaziah; and they caught him (he was hiding in Samaria), and brought him to Jehu. When they had killed him, they buried him, "because," they said, "he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart." So the house of Ahaziah had no one to assume power over the kingdom.
    Jeremiah 24:7
    Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.
  14. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 4:7
    For what great nation is there that has God so ...
    Psalms 32:6
    For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray...
    Psalms 46:1
    God is our refuge and strength, A very present ...
    Isaiah 55:6
    Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon ...
    Isaiah 55:7
    Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unright...
    Jeremiah 24:7
    Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that ...
  15. Cross References
    Isaiah 43:5
    Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west.
    Isaiah 43:6
    I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not keep them back!' Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth -
    Jeremiah 23:8
    "but, 'As the LORD lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them.' And they shall dwell in their own land."
    Jeremiah 32:37
    Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger, in My fury, and in great wrath; I will bring them back to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely.
  16. Cross References
    Jeremiah 38:2
    "Thus says the LORD: 'He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes over to the Chaldeans shall live; his life shall be as a prize to him, and he shall live.'
    Jeremiah 38:3
    "Thus says the LORD: 'This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it.'"
    Jeremiah 38:17 - 23
    Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "Thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: 'If you surely surrender to the king of Babylon's princes, then your soul shall live; this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall live.
  17. Cross References
    Jeremiah 24:3
    Then the LORD said to me, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" And I said, "Figs, the good figs, very good; and the bad, very bad, which cannot be eaten, they are so bad.
    Jeremiah 24:8 - 10
    And as the bad figs which cannot be eaten, they are so bad' - surely thus says the LORD - 'so will I give up Zedekiah the king of Judah, his princes, the residue of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt.
  18. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 28:25
    The LORD will cause you to be defeated before y...
    2 Chronicles 29:8
    Therefore the wrath of the LORD fell upon Judah...
    Jeremiah 15:4
    I will hand them over to trouble, to all kingdo...
    Jeremiah 24:9
    I will deliver them to trouble into all the kin...
    Jeremiah 34:17
    Therefore thus says the LORD: 'You have not obe...
    Ezekiel 12:15
    Then they shall know that I am the LORD, when I...
  19. Cross References
    Jeremiah 26:6
    "then I will make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth." '"
    Jeremiah 42:18
    "For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: 'As My anger and My fury have been poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so will My fury be poured out on you when you enter Egypt. And you shall be an oath, an astonishment, a curse, and a reproach; and you shall see this place no more.'
  20. Cross References
    Jeremiah 25:4
    And the LORD has sent to you all His servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear.
    Jeremiah 26:5
    To heed the words of My servants the prophets whom I sent to you, both rising up early and sending them (but you have not heeded).
    Jeremiah 35:15
    I have also sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, 'Turn now everyone from his evil way, amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them; then you will dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.' But you have not inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me.
  21. Cross References
    Jeremiah 14:14
    And the LORD said to me, "The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart.
    Jeremiah 14:15
    Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, whom I did not send, and who say, 'Sword and famine shall not be in this land' - 'By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed!
    Lamentations 2:14
    Your prophets have seen for you False and deceptive visions; They have not uncovered your iniquity, To bring back your captives, But have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions.
    2 Peter 2:1
    But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
  22. Cross References
    Genesis 48:20
    So he blessed them that day, saying, "By you Israel will bless, saying, 'May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!' " And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
    Isaiah 65:15
    You shall leave your name as a curse to My chosen; For the Lord GOD will slay you, And call His servants by another name.
  23. Cross References
    Daniel 3:6
    "and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace."
    Daniel 3:21
    Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
  24. Cross References
    Jeremiah 23:14
    Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: They commit adultery and walk in lies; They also strengthen the hands of evildoers, So that no one turns back from his wickedness. All of them are like Sodom to Me, And her inhabitants like Gomorrah.
  25. Cross References
    Proverbs 5:21
    For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He ponders all his paths.
    Jeremiah 16:17
    For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes.
    Malachi 3:5
    And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien - Because they do not fear Me," Says the LORD of hosts.
    Hebrews 4:13
    And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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