Jeremiah 29:3-6

3He sent it with Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah. King Zedekiah of Judah had sent these men to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The letter said:

4“The Lord God of Israel who rules over all says to all those he sent into exile to Babylon from Jerusalem,

5‘Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what they produce.

6Marry and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and allow your daughters get married so that they too can have sons and daughters. Grow in number; do not dwindle away.