Jeremiah 29:1-7

1Now these are the words of the 1letter which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the exile, the priests, the prophets and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

2(This was after King 2Jeconiah and the 3queen mother, the court officials, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.)

3The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of 4Hilkiah, 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 the exiles whom I have 5sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon,

5‘6Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their 7produce.

6Take 8wives and 9become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease.

710Seek the 11welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and 12pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its 13welfare you will have 14welfare.’