Jeremiah 29:1-7

1ThisH428 is the textH1697 of the letterH5612 thatH834 JeremiahH3414 the prophetH5030 sentH7971 from JerusalemH3389 toH413 the survivingH3499 eldersH2205 among the exilesH1473 and toH413 the priestsH3548H413, the prophetsH5030H413, and allH3605 the othersH5971 NebuchadnezzarH5019 had carried into exileH1540 from JerusalemH3389 to BabylonH894. 2(This was afterH310 KingH4428 JeconiahH3204,1 the queen motherH1377, the court officialsH5631, the officialsH8269 of JudahH3063 and JerusalemH3389, the craftsmenH2796, and the metalsmithsH4525 had been exiledH3318 from JerusalemH3389.) 3The letter was entrusted toH3027 ElasahH501 sonH1121 of ShaphanH8227 and GemariahH1587 sonH1121 of HilkiahH2518, whomH834 ZedekiahH6667 kingH4428 of JudahH3063 sentH7971 toH413 KingH4428 NebuchadnezzarH5019 in BabylonH894. It statedH559:

4This is whatH3541 the LORDH3068 of HostsH6635, the GodH430 of IsraelH3478, saysH559 to allH3605 the exilesH1473 who were carried awayH1540 from JerusalemH3389 to BabylonH894: 5“BuildH1129 housesH1004 and settle downH3427. PlantH5193 gardensH1593 and eatH398 their produceH6529. 6TakeH3947 wivesH802 and haveH3205 sonsH1121 and daughtersH1323. TakeH3947 wivesH802 for your sonsH1121 and giveH5414 your daughtersH1323 in marriageH582, so that they too may haveH3205 sonsH1121 and daughtersH1323. MultiplyH7235 thereH8033; do notH408 decreaseH4591. 7SeekH1875 the prosperityH7965 of the cityH5892 to whichH834 I have sent you as exilesH1540. PrayH6419 toH413 the LORDH3068 on its behalfH1157, forH3588 if it prospersH7965H1961, you too will prosperH7965.”