Category: Jeremiah

Zedekiah’s Request Denied

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from theLordwhen King Zedekiah sent Pashhurson of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniahson of Maaseiah to Jeremiah, asking,

2 “Ask theLordon our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzarking of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps theLordwill perform for us something like all His past wonderful works so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”

3 But Jeremiah answered, “This is what you are to say to Zedekiah:

4 ‘This is what theLord, the God of Israel, says: I will repel the weapons of war in your hands,those you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Chaldeanswho are besieging you outside the wall, and I will bring them into the center of this city.

5 I will fight against youwith an outstretched hand and a mighty arm,with anger, rage, and great wrath.

6 I will strike the residents of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a great plague.

7 Afterward’ ” — this is theLord’s declaration — “ ‘King Zedekiah of Judah, his officers, and the people — those in this city who survive the plague, the sword, and the famine — I will hand over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,to their enemies, yes, to those who want to take their lives. He will put them to the sword; he won’t spare them or show pity or compassion.’

A Warning for the People

8 “But you must say to this people, ‘This is what theLordsays: Look, I am presenting to you the way of life and the way of death.

9 Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live and will retain his life like the spoils of war.

10 For I have turnedagainst this city to bring disaster and not good’” — this is theLord’s declaration. “ ‘It will be handed over to the king of Babylon, who will burn it down.’

11 “And to the house of the king of Judah say this: ‘Hear the word of theLord!

12 House of David, this is what theLordsays:

Administer justice every morning,

and rescue the victim of robbery

from the hand of his oppressor,

or My anger will flare up like fire

and burn unquenchably

because of their evil deeds.

13 Beware! I am against you,

you who sit above the valley,

you atop the rocky plateau —

this is theLord’s declaration —

you who say, “Who can come down against us?

Who can enter our hiding places? ”

14 I will punish you according to what you have done—

this is theLord’s declaration.

I will kindle a fire in its forest

that will consume everything around it.’ ”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/21-da8c3ec8caed0e921d000f1dd64d3a1d.mp3?version_id=72—

Judgment against Sinful Kings

1 This is what theLordsays: “Go down to the palace of the king of Judah and announce this word there.

2 You are to say: Hear the word of theLord, king of Judah, you who sit on the throne of David— you, your officers, and your people who enter these gates.

3 This is what theLordsays: Administer justice and righteousness.Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor.Don’t exploit or brutalize the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.Don’t shed innocent blood in this place.

4 For if you conscientiously carry out this word, then kings sitting on David’s throne will enter through the gates of this palaceriding on chariots and horses — they, their officers, and their people.

5 But if you do not obey these words, then I swear by Myself” — this is theLord’s declaration — “that this house will become a ruin.”

6 For this is what theLordsays concerning the house of the king of Judah:

You are like Gileadto Me,

or the summit of Lebanon,

but I will certainly turn you into a wilderness,

uninhabited cities.

7 I will appoint destroyersagainst you,

each with his weapons.

They will cut down the choicest of your cedars

and throw them into the fire.

8 “Many nations will pass by this city and ask one another, ‘Why did theLorddo such a thing to this great city? ’

9 They will answer, ‘Because they abandoned the covenantof Yahweh their God and worshiped and served other gods.’ ”

A Message Concerning Shallum

10 Do not weep for the dead;

do not mourn for him.

Weep bitterly for the onewho has gone away,

for he will never return again

and see his native land.

11 For this is what theLordsays concerning Shallumson of Josiah, king of Judah, who became king in place of his father Josiah: “He has left this place — he will never return here again,

12 but he will die in the place where they deported him, never seeing this land again.”

A Message concerning Jehoiakim

13 Woe for the one who builds his palace

through unrighteousness,

his upper rooms through injustice,

who makes his fellow man serve without pay

and will not give him his wages,

14 who says, “I will build myself a massive palace,

with spacious upper rooms.”

He will cut windowsin it,

and it will be paneled with cedar

and painted with vermilion.

15 Are you a king because you excel in cedar?

Didn’t your father eat and drink

and administer justice and righteousness?

Then it went well with him.

16 He took up the case of the poor and needy,

then it went well.

Is this not what it means to know Me?

This is theLord’s declaration.

17 But you have eyes and a heart for nothing

except your own dishonest profit,

shedding innocent blood

and committing extortion and oppression.

18 Therefore, this is what theLordsays concerning Jehoiakimson of Josiah, king of Judah:

They will not mourn for him, saying,

“Woe, my brother! ” or “Woe, my sister! ”

They will not mourn for him, saying,

“Woe, lord! Woe, his majesty! ”

19 He will be buried like a donkey,

dragged off and thrown

outside the gates of Jerusalem.

20 Go up to Lebanon and cry out;

raise your voice in Bashan;

cry out from Abarim,

for all your lovershave been crushed.

21 I spoke to you when you were secure.

You said, “I will not listen.”

This has been your way since youth;

indeed, you have never listened to Me.

22 The wind will take charge ofall your shepherds,

and your loverswill go into captivity.

Then you will be ashamed and humiliated

because of all your evil.

23 You residents of Lebanon,

nestled among the cedars,

how you will groanwhen labor pains come on you,

agony like a woman in labor.

A Message concerning Coniah

24 “As I live,” says theLord, “though you, Coniahson of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, were a signet ringon My right hand, I would tear you from it.

25 In fact, I will hand you over to those you dread,who want to take your life, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the Chaldeans.

26 I will hurl you and the mother who gave birthto you into another land,where neither of you were born, and there you will both die.

27 They will never return to the land they long to return to.”

28 Is this man Coniah a despised, shattered pot,

a jar no one wants?

Why are he and his descendants hurled out

and cast into a land they have not known?

29 Earth, earth, earth,

hear the word of theLord!

30 This is what theLordsays:

Record this man as childless,

a man who will not be successful in his lifetime.

None of his descendants will succeed

in sitting on the throne of David

or ruling again in Judah.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/22-f803c46e6abc6281bea9be272502b9d4.mp3?version_id=72—

The Lord and His Sheep

1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture! ”This is theLord’s declaration.

2 “Therefore, this is what theLord, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who shepherd My people: You have scattered My flock,banished them, and have not attended to them.I will attend to you because of your evil acts” — this is theLord’s declaration.

3 “I will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands where I have banished them,and I will return them to their grazing land. They will become fruitful and numerous.

4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them.They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any be missing.”This is theLord’s declaration.

The Righteous Branch of David

5 “The days are coming”— this is theLord’s declaration —

“when I will raise up a Righteous Branch of David.

He will reign wisely as king

and administer justice and righteousness in the land.

6 In His days Judah will be saved,

and Israel will dwell securely.

This is what He will be named:

Yahweh Our Righteousness.

7 “The days are coming”— theLord’s declaration — “when it will no longer be said, ‘As theLordliveswho brought the Israelites from the land of Egypt,’

8 but, ‘As theLordlives, who brought and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the land of the north and from all the other countries where Ihad banished them.’ They will dwell once more in their own land.”

False Prophets Condemned

9 Concerning the prophets:

My heart is broken within me,

and all my bones tremble.

I have become like a drunkard,

like a man overcome by wine,

because of theLord,

because of His holy words.

10 For the land is full of adulterers;

the land mournsbecause of the curse,

and the grazing lands in the wilderness have dried up.

Their way of lifehas become evil,

and their power is not rightly used

11 because both prophet and priest are ungodly,

even in My houseI have found their evil.

This is theLord’s declaration.

12 Therefore, their way will be to them

like slippery paths in the gloom.

They will be driven away and fall down there,

for I will bring disaster on them,

the year of their punishment.

This is theLord’s declaration.

13 Among the prophets of Samaria

I saw something disgusting:

They prophesied byBaal

and led My people Israel astray.

14 Among the prophets of Jerusalem also

I saw a horrible thing:

They commit adultery and walk in lies.

They strengthen the hands of evildoers,

and none turns his back on evil.

They are all like Sodomto Me;

Jerusalem’s residents are like Gomorrah.

15 Therefore, this is what theLordof Hosts says concerning the prophets:

I am about to feed them wormwood

and give them poisoned water to drink,

for from the prophets of Jerusalem

ungodlinesshas spread throughout the land.

16 This is what theLordof Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are making you worthless. They speak visions from their own minds,not from theLord’s mouth.

17 They keep on saying to those who despise Me, ‘TheLordhas said: You will have peace.’They have said to everyone who follows the stubbornness of his heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’ ”

18 For who has stood in the councilof theLord

to see and hear His word?

Who has paid attention to His word and obeyed?

19 Look, a storm from theLord!

Wrath has gone out,

a whirling storm.

It will whirl about the heads of the wicked.

20 TheLord’s anger will not turn back

until He has completely fulfilled the purposes of His heart.

In time to come you will understand it clearly.

21 I did not send these prophets,

yet they ran with a message.

I did not speak to them,

yet they prophesied.

22 If they had really stood in My council,

they would have enabled My people to hear My words

and would have turned them back from their evil ways

and their evil deeds.

23 “Am I a God who is only near”— this is theLord’s declaration — “and not a God who is far away?

24 Can a man hide himself in secret places where I cannot see him? ”— theLord’s declaration. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth? ”— theLord’s declaration.

25 “I have heard what the prophets who prophesy a lie in My name have said, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’

26 How long will this continue in the minds of the prophets prophesying lies, prophets of the deceit of their own minds?

27 Through their dreams that they tell one another, they plan to cause My people to forget My name as their fathers forgot My name through Baal worship.

28 The prophet who has only a dream should recount the dream, but the one who has My word should speak My word truthfully, for what is straw compared to grain? ” — this is theLord’s declaration.

29 “Is not My word like fire” — this is theLord’s declaration — “and like a hammer that pulverizes rock?

30 Therefore, take note! I am against the prophets”— theLord’s declaration — “who steal My words from each other.

31 I am against the prophets” — theLord’s declaration — “who use their own tongues to make a declaration.

32 I am against those who prophesy false dreams”— theLord’s declaration — “telling them and leading My people astray with their falsehoods and their boasting. It was not I who sent or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at allto these people” — this is theLord’s declaration.

The Burden of the Lord

33 “Now when these people or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of theLord? ’ you will respond to them: What is the burden? I will throw you away” — this is theLord’s declaration.

34 “As for the prophet, priest, or people who say, ‘The burden of theLord,’ I will punish that man and his household.

35 This is what each man is to say to his friend and to his brother, ‘What has theLordanswered?’ or ‘What has theLordspoken?’

36 But no longer refer tothe burden of theLord, for each man’s word becomes his burden and you pervert the words of the living God, theLordof Hosts, our God.

37 You must say to the prophet: What has theLordanswered you? and What has theLordspoken?

38 But if you say, ‘The burden of theLord,’ then this is what theLordsays: Because you have said, ‘The burden of theLord,’ and I specifically told you not to say, ‘The burden of theLord,’

39 I will surely forget youand throw away from My presence both you and the city that I gave you and your fathers.

40 I will bring on you everlasting shame and humiliationthat will never be forgotten.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/23-19a462a2715fdf0a4d542f4cc590ea68.mp3?version_id=72—

The Good and the Bad Figs

1 After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had deported Jeconiahson of Jehoiakim king of Judah, the officials of Judah, and the craftsmen and metalsmithsfrom Jerusalem and had brought them to Babylon, theLordshowed me two baskets of figsplaced before the temple of theLord.

2 One basket contained very good figs, like early figs,but the other basket contained very bad figs, so bad they were inedible.

3 TheLordsaid to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah? ” I said, “Figs! The good figs are very good, but the bad figs are extremely bad, so bad they are inedible.”

4 The word of theLordcame to me:

5 “This is what theLord, the God of Israel, says: Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah I sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans.

6 I will keep My eyes on them for their goodand will return them to this land. I will build them up and not demolish them; I will plant them and not uproot them.

7 I will give them a heart to know Me,that I am Yahweh. They will be My people, and I will be their God because they will return to Me with all their heart.

8 “But as for the bad figs, so bad they are inedible,this is what theLordsays: in this way I will deal with king Zedekiah of Judah, his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem — those remaining in this land and those living in the land of Egypt.

9 I will make them an object of horrorand disaster to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace, an object of scorn, ridicule,and cursing, wherever I have banished them.

10 I will send the sword, famine, and plagueagainst them until they have perished from the land I gave to them and their ancestors.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/24-5666ebcc887b0aabffe8aa17527cf634.mp3?version_id=72—

The Seventy-Year Exile

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakimson of Josiah, king of Judah (which was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon).

2 The prophet Jeremiah spoke concerning all the people of Judah and all the residents of Jerusalem as follows:

3 “From the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon,king of Judah, until this very day — 23 years — the word of theLordhas come to me, and I have spoken to you time and time again,but you have not obeyed.

4 TheLordsent all His servants the prophets to you time and time again,but you have not obeyed or even paid attention.

5 He announced, ‘Turn, each of you, from yourevil way of life and from your evil deeds.Live in the land theLordgave to you and your ancestors long ago and forever.

6 Do not follow other gods to serve them and to worship them,and do not provoke Me to anger by the work of your hands.Then I will do you no harm.

7 “ ‘But you would not obey Me’ — this is theLord’s declaration — ‘in order that you might provoke Me to anger by the work of your hands and bring disaster on yourselves.’

8 “Therefore, this is what theLordof Hosts says: ‘Because you have not obeyed My words,

9 I am going to send for all the families of the north’— this is theLord’s declaration — ‘and send for My servantNebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I will bring them against this land, against its residents, and against all these surrounding nations, and I will completely destroy them and make them a desolation,a derision, and ruins forever.

10 I will eliminate the sound of joy and gladness from them — the voice of the groom and the bride,the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp.

11 This whole land will become a desolate ruin, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for 70 years.

12 When the 70 years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation’ — this is theLord’s declaration — ‘the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, and I will make it a ruin forever.

13 I will bring on that land all My words I have spoken against it, all that is written in this book that Jeremiah prophesied against all the nations.

14 For many nations and great kings will enslave them, and I will repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands.’ ”

The Cup of God’s Wrath

15 This is what theLord, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take this cup of the wine of wrath from My hand and make all the nations I am sending you to, drink from it.

16 They will drink, stagger,and go out of their minds because of the sword I am sending among them.”

17 So I took the cup from theLord’s hand and made all the nations drink from it, everyone theLordsent me to.

18 These included:

Jerusalem and the other cities of Judah, its kings and its officials, to make them a desolate ruin, an object of scorn and cursing — as it is today;

19 Pharaoh king of Egypt, his officers, his leaders, all his people,

20 and all the mixed peoples;

all the kings of the land of Uz;

all the kings of the land of the Philistines — Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod;

21 Edom, Moab, and the Ammonites;

22 all the kings of Tyre,

all the kings of Sidon,

and the kings of the coastlands across the sea;

23 Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all those who shave their temples;

24 all the kings of Arabia,

and all the kings of the mixed peoples who have settled in the desert;

25 all the kings of Zimri,

all the kings of Elam,

and all the kings of Media;

26 all the kings of the north, both near and far from one another;

that is, all the kingdoms of the world which are on the face of the earth.

Finally, the king of Sheshachwill drink after them.

27 “Then you are to say to them: This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Drink,get drunk, and vomit. Fall down and never get up again, as a result of the sword I am sending among you.

28 Ifthey refuse to take the cup from you and drink, you are to say to them: This is what theLordof Hosts says: You must drink!

29 For I am already bringing disasteron the city that bears My name,so how could you possibly go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am summoning a sword against all the inhabitants of the earth” — this is the declaration of theLordof Hosts.

Judgment on the Whole World

30 “As for you, you are to prophesy all these things to them, and say to them:

TheLordroars from heaven;

He raises His voice from His holy dwelling.

He roars loudly over His grazing land;

He calls out with a shout, like those who tread grapes,

against all the inhabitants of the earth.

31 The tumult reaches to the ends of the earth

because theLordbrings a case againstthe nations.

He enters into judgment with all flesh.

As for the wicked, He hands them over to the sword —

this is theLord’s declaration.

32 “This is what theLordof Hosts says:

Pay attention! Disaster spreads

from nation to nation.

A great storm is stirred up

from the ends of the earth.”

33 Those slain by theLordon that day will be spread from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned,gathered, or buried. They will be like manure on the surface of the ground.

34 Wail, you shepherds, and cry out.

Roll in the dust,you leaders of the flock.

Because the days of your slaughter have come,

you will fall and become shattered like a precious vase.

35 Flight will be impossible for the shepherds,

and escape, for the leaders of the flock.

36 Hear the sound of the shepherds’ cry,

the wail of the leaders of the flock,

for theLordis destroying their pasture.

37 Peaceful grazing land will become lifeless

because of theLord’s burning anger.

38 He has left His den like a lion,

for their land has become a desolation

because of the swordof the oppressor,

because of His burning anger.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/25-28bf8cf4c383d4a9978a9390d0ca4321.mp3?version_id=72—

Jeremiah’s Speech in the Temple

1 At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakimson of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from theLord:

2 “This is what theLordsays: Stand in the courtyard of theLord’s temple and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all Judah’s cities that are coming to worship there. Do not hold back a word.

3 Perhaps they will listen and return — each from his evil way of life — so that I might relentconcerning the disaster that I plan to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.

4 You are to say to them: This is what theLordsays: If you do not listen to Me by living according to My instruction that I set before you

5 and by listening to the words of My servants the prophetsI have been sending you time and time again,though you did not listen,

6 I will make this temple like Shiloh.I will make this city an object of cursing for all the nations of the earth.”

Jeremiah Seized

7 The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the temple of theLord.

8 He finished the address theLordhad commanded him to deliver to all the people. Then the priests, the prophets, and all the people took hold of him, yelling, “You must surely die!

9 How dare you prophesy in the name of Yahweh, ‘This temple will become like Shiloh and this city will become an uninhabited ruin’! ” Then all the people assembled against Jeremiah at theLord’s temple.

10 When the officials of Judah heard these things, they went from the king’s palace to theLord’s temple and sat at the entrance of the New Gate.

11 Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man deserves the death sentence because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.”

Jeremiah’s Defense

12 Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and the people, “TheLordsent me to prophesy all the words that you have heard against this temple and city.

13 So now, correct your ways and deedsand obey the voice of theLordyour God so that He might relent concerning the disaster that He warned about.

14 As for me, here I am in your hands; do to me what you think is good and right.

15 But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent bloodon yourselves, on this city, and on its residents, for it is certain theLordhas sent me to speak all these things directly to you.”

Jeremiah Released

16 Then the officials and all the people told the priests and prophets, “This man doesn’t deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the name of Yahweh our God! ”

17 Some of the elders of the land stood upand said to all the assembled people,

18 “Micah the Moreshiteprophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judahand said to all the people of Judah, ‘This is what theLordof Hosts says:

Zion will be plowed like a field,

Jerusalem will become ruins,

and the temple mount a forested hill.’

19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all the people of Judah put him to death? Did he not fear theLordand plead for theLord’s favor,and did not theLordrelent concerning the disaster He had pronounced against them?We are about to bring great harm on ourselves! ”

The Prophet Uriah

20 Another man was also prophesying in the name of Yahweh — Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim.He prophesied against this city and against this land in words like all those of Jeremiah.

21 King Jehoiakim, all his warriors, and all the officials heard his words, and the king tried to put him to death. When Uriah heard, he fled in fear and went to Egypt.

22 But King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achborand certain other men with him went to Egypt.

23 They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who executed him with the sword and threw his corpse into the burial place of the common people.

24 But Ahikamson of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/26-ba8a0c3e4957ea8587a1dbf64819f7c7.mp3?version_id=72—

The Yoke of Babylon

1 At the beginning of the reign of Zedekiahson of Josiah, king of Judah,this word came to Jeremiah from theLord:

2 “This is what theLordsaid to me: Make chains and yoke barsfor yourself and put them on your neck.

3 Send word to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidonthrough messengers who are coming to Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem.

4 Command them to go to their masters, saying: This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: This is what you must say to your masters:

5 By My great strength and outstretched arm,I made the earth,and the people, and animals on the face of the earth. I give it to anyone I please.

6 So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servantNebuchadnezzar,king of Babylon. I have even given him the wild animals to serve him.

7 All nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until the time for his own land comes, and then many nations and great kings will enslave him.

8 “As for the nation or kingdom that does not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and does not place its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation I will punish by sword, famine, and plague” — this is theLord’s declaration — “until through him I have destroyed it.

9 But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, diviners,dreamers, fortune-tellers,or sorcererswho say to you, ‘Don’t serve the king of Babylon! ’

10 for they prophesy a lieto you so that you will be removed from your land. I will banish you, and you will perish.

11 But as for the nation that will put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave it in its own land, and that nation will cultivateit and reside in it.” This is theLord’s declaration.

Warning to Zedekiah

12 I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judahin the same way: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, serve him and his people, and live!

13 Why should you and your people dieby the sword, famine, or plague as theLordhas threatened against any nation that does not serve the king of Babylon?

14 Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are telling you, ‘You must not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying a lie to you.

15 ‘I have not sent them’ — this is theLord’s declaration — ‘and they are prophesying falsely in My name; therefore, I will banish you, and you will perish — you and the prophets who are prophesying to you.’ ”

16 Then I spoke to the priests and all these people, saying, “This is what theLordsays: ‘Do not listen to the words of your prophets. They are prophesying to you, claiming, “Look, very soon now the articles of theLord’s temple will be brought back from Babylon.”They are prophesying a lie to you.

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

18 If they are indeed prophets and if the word of theLordis with them, let them intercede with theLordof Hosts not to let the articles that remain in theLord’s temple, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem go to Babylon.’

19 For this is what theLordof Hosts says about the pillars, the sea, the water carts,and the rest of the articles that still remain in this city,

20 those Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take when he deported Jeconiahson of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon along with all the nobles of Judahand Jerusalem.

21 Yes, this is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says about the articles that remain in the temple of theLord, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem:

22 ‘They will be brought to Babylon and will remain there until I attend to them again.’This is theLord’s declaration. ‘Then I will bring them up and restore them to this place.’ ”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/27-1d32b7aeb18b5aa5962cf47c9df23a6c.mp3?version_id=72—

Hananiah’s False Prophecy

1 In that same year, at the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah,in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur from Gibeonsaid to me in the temple of theLordin the presence of the priests and all the people,

2 “This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.

3 Within two years I will restore to this place all the articles of theLord’s templethat King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took from here and transported to Babylon.

4 And I will restore to this place Jeconiahson of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles from Judahwho went to Babylon’ — this is theLord’s declaration — ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’ ”

Jeremiah’s Response to Hananiah

5 The prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the temple of theLord.

6 The prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen!May theLorddo so. May theLordmake the words you have prophesied come true and may He restore the articles of theLord’s temple and all the exiles from Babylon to this place!

7 Only listen to this message I am speaking in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people.

8 The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, disaster,and plague against many lands and great kingdoms.

9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace — only when the word of the prophet comes true will the prophet be recognized as one theLordhas truly sent.”

Hananiah Breaks Jeremiah’s Yoke

10 The prophet Hananiah then took the yoke bar from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet and broke it.

11 In the presence of all the people Hananiah proclaimed, “This is what theLordsays: ‘In this way, within two years I will break the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon from the neck of all the nations.’ ” Jeremiah the prophet then went on his way.

The Lord’s Word against Hananiah

12 The word of theLordcame to Jeremiah after Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke bar from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet:

13 “Go say to Hananiah: This is what theLordsays, ‘You broke a wooden yoke bar, but in its place you will make an iron yoke bar.’

14 For this is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says, ‘I have put an iron yoke on the neck of all these nations that they might serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,and they will serve him.I have also put the wild animals under him.’ ”

15 The prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! TheLorddid not send you, but you have led these people to trust in a lie.

16 Therefore, this is what theLordsays: ‘I am about to send you off the face of the earth. You will die this year because you have spoken rebellion against theLord.’ ”

17 And the prophet Hananiah died that year in the seventh month.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/28-24296aceeb6b9cc190b17e4ebeeab254.mp3?version_id=72—

Jeremiah’s Letter to the Exiles

1 This is the text of the letterthat Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the exiles, the priests, the prophets, and all the people Nebuchadnezzarhad deported from Jerusalem to Babylon.

2 This was after King Jeconiah,the queen mother, the court officials, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metalsmiths had left Jerusalem.

3 The letter was sent by Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiahwhom Zedekiah king of Judah had sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. The letter stated:

4 This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon:

5 “Build houses and live in them.Plant gardens and eat their produce.

6 Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters to men in marriage so that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease.

7 Seek the welfare of the city I have deported you to. Pray to theLordon its behalf,for when it has prosperity, you will prosper.”

8 For this is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Don’t let your prophets who are among youand your diviners deceive you,and don’t listen to the dreams you elicit from them,

9 for they are prophesying falsely to you in My name. I have not sent them.”This is theLord’s declaration.

10 For this is what theLordsays: “When 70 years for Babylon are complete,I will attend to you and will confirm My promise concerning you to restore you to this place.

11 For I know the plans I have for you”— this is theLord’s declaration — “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

12 You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

13 You will seek Meand find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

14 I will be found by you” — this is theLord’s declaration — “and I will restore your fortunesand gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you” — this is theLord’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place I deported you from.”

15 You have said, “TheLordhas raised up prophets for us in Babylon! ”

16 But this is what theLordsays concerning the king sitting on David’s throneand concerning all the people living in this city — that is, concerning your brothers who did not go with you into exile.

17 This is what theLordof Hosts says: “I am about to send against them sword, famine, and plagueand will make them like rotten figs that are inedible because they are so bad.

18 I will pursue them with sword, famine, and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth — a curse and a desolation, an object of scorn and a disgrace among all the nationswhere I have banished them.

19 I will do this because they have not listened to My words” — this is theLord’s declaration — “that I sent to them with My servants the prophets time and time again.And you too have not listened.” This is theLord’s declaration.

20 Hear the word of theLord, all you exiles I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon.

21 This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says to Ahab son of Kolaiah and to Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, the ones prophesying a lie to you in My name:“I am about to hand them over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will kill them before your very eyes.

22 Based on what happens to them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will create a cursethat says, ‘May theLordmake you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire! ’

23 because they have committed an outragein Israel by committing adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have spoken a lie in My name, which I did not command them. I am He who knows, and I am a witness.” This is theLord’s declaration.

24 To Shemaiah the Nehelamite you are to say,

25 “This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Youin your own name have sent out letters to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniahson of Maaseiah, and to all the priests, saying:

26 ‘TheLordhas appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada the priest to be the chief officerin the temple of theLord, responsible for every madmanwho acts like a prophet. You must confine him in the stocksand an iron collar.

27 So now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who has been acting like a prophet among you?

28 For he has sent word to us in Babylon, claiming, “The exile will be long. Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce.” ’ ”

29 Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the hearing of Jeremiah the prophet.

A Message about Shemaiah

30 Then the word of theLordcame to Jeremiah:

31 “Send a message to all the exiles, saying: This is what theLordsays concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Because Shemaiah prophesied to you, though I did not send him, and made you trust a lie,

32 this is what theLordsays: I am about to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. There will not be even one of his descendants living among these people,nor will any ever see the good that I will bring to My people” — this is theLord’s declaration — “for he has preached rebellion against theLord.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/29-a4d1547ef9b490fd1f7b62dc9af11b9a.mp3?version_id=72—

Restoration from Captivity

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from theLord.

2 This is what theLord, the God of Israel, says: “Write down on a scroll all the words that I have spoken to you,

3 for the days are certainly coming” — this is theLord’s declaration — “when I will restore the fortunesof My people Israel and Judah”— theLord’s declaration. “I will restore them to the land I gave to their ancestors and they will possess it.”

4 These are the words theLordspoke to Israel and Judah.

5 Yes, this is what theLordsays:

We have heard a cry of terror,

of dread — there is no peace.

6 Ask and see

whether a male can give birth.

Why then do I see every man

with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor

and every face turned pale?

7 How awful that day will be!

There will be none like it!

It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,

but he will be delivered out of it.

8 “On that day” — this is the declaration of theLordof Hosts — “I will break his yoke from your neckand tear off your chainsso strangers will never again enslave him.

9 They will serve theLordtheir God and I will raise up David their king for them.”

10 As for you, My servant Jacob,

do not be afraid —

this is theLord’s declaration —

and do not be dismayed, Israel,

for without fail I will save you from far away,

your descendants, from the land of their captivity!

Jacob will return and have calm and quiet

with no one to frighten him.

11 For I will be with you —

this is theLord’s declaration —

to save you!

I will bring destruction on all the nations

where I have scattered you;

however, I will not bring destruction on you.

I will discipline you justly,

and I will by no means leave you unpunished.

Healing Zion’s Wounds

12 For this is what theLordsays:

Your injury is incurable;

your wound most severe.

13 No one takes up the case for your sores.

There is no healing for you.

14 All your lovers have forgotten you;

they no longer look for you,

for I have struck you as an enemy would,

with the disciplineof someone cruel,

because of your enormous guilt

and your innumerable sins.

15 Why do you cry out about your injury?

Your pain has no cure!

I have done these things to you

because of your enormous guilt

and your innumerable sins.

16 Nevertheless, all who devoured you will be devoured,

and all your adversaries — all of them —

will go off into exile.

Those who plunder you will be plundered,

and all who raid you will be raided.

17 But I will bring you health

and will heal you of your wounds —

this is theLord’s declaration —

for they call you Outcast,

Zion whom no one cares about.

Restoration of the Land

18 This is what theLordsays:

I will certainly restore the fortunesof Jacob’s tents

and show compassionon his dwellings.

Every city will be rebuilt on its mound;

every citadel will stand on its proper site.

19 Thanksgiving will come out of them,

a sound of celebration.

I will multiply them, and they will not decrease;

I will honor them, and they will not be insignificant.

20 His children will be as in past days;

his congregation will be established in My presence.

I will punish all his oppressors.

21 Jacob’s leader will be one of them;

his ruler will issue from him.

I will invite him to Me, and he will approach Me,

for who would otherwise risk his life to approach Me?

This is theLord’s declaration.

22 You will be My people,

and I will be your God.

The Wrath of God

23 Look, a storm from theLord!

Wrath has gone out,

a churning storm.

It will whirl about the heads of the wicked.

24 TheLord’s burning anger will not turn back

until He has completely fulfilled the purposes of His heart.

In time to come you will understand it.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/30-2b10feb8fd103ca966ecce774a27f595.mp3?version_id=72—