1 The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles Nebuchadnezzar had carried off from Jerusalem to Babylon. It was addressed to the elders who were left among the exiles, to the priests, to the prophets, and to all the other people who were exiled in Babylon.
1 Now these are the words of the (A)letter 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.
1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;
1 This is the text of the letter(A) that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the exiles, the priests, the prophets, and all the people Nebuchadnezzar(B) had deported from Jerusalem to Babylon.
1 Theseare the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, to the priests, to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon,
2 He sent it after King Jeconiah, the queen mother, the palace officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had been exiled from Jerusalem.
2 (This was after King (B)Jeconiah and the (C)queen mother, the court officials, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.)
2 (After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;)
2 This was after King Jeconiah,(a)(C) the queen mother, the court officials, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metalsmiths had left Jerusalem.
2 after King Jeconiah, the queen mother, the palace officials, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths left Jerusalem.
3 He 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:
3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of (D)Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying,
3 By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,
3 The letter was sent by Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah(D) whom Zedekiah king of Judah had sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. The letter stated:
3 The letter was sent by Shaphan's son Elasah and by Hilkiah's son Gemariah, whom King Zedekiah of Judah sent to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in Babylon, and it said,
4 "The Lord God of Israel who rules over all says to all those he sent into exile to Babylon from Jerusalem,
4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have (E)sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon,
4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;
4 This is what the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon:
4 "This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles who were taken from Jerusalem into exile to Babylon,
6 Marry 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.
6 Take (G)wives and (b)become 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.
6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.
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.
6 Take wives and father sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so they may have sons and daughters. Increase in numbers there, don't decrease.
7 Work to see that the city where I sent you as exiles enjoys peace and prosperity. Pray to the Lord for it. For as it prospers you will prosper.'
7 (H)Seek the (c)welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and (I)pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its (d)welfare you will have (e)welfare.’
7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
7 Seek the welfare of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf,(F) for when it has prosperity, you will prosper.”
7 Seek the welfare of the city to which I've exiled you and pray to the LORD for it, for your welfare depends on its welfare.'
8 "For the Lord God of Israel who rules over all says, 'Do not let the prophets or those among you who claim to be able to predict the future by divination deceive you. And do not pay any attention to the dreams that you are encouraging them to dream.
8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Do not let your (J)prophets who are in your midst and your diviners (K)deceive you, and do not listen to (f)(L)the dreams which (g)they dream.
8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.
8 For this is what the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Don’t let your prophets who are among you(G) and your diviners deceive you,(H) and don’t listen to the dreams you elicit from them,
8 For this is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, says: "Don't let the prophets and diviners who are among you deceive you, and don't listen to them when they tell you their dreams.
9 They are prophesying lies to you and claiming my authority to do so. But I did not send them. I, the Lord, affirm it!'
9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.
9 for they are prophesying falsely to you in My name. I have not sent them.”(I) This is the Lord’s declaration.
9 Indeed, they're prophesying lies to you in my name. I didn't send them,' declares the LORD.
10 "For the Lord says, 'Only when the seventy years of Babylonian rule are over will I again take up consideration for you. Then I will fulfill my gracious promise to you and restore you to your homeland.
10 “For thus says the Lord, ‘When (O)seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My (P)good word to you, to bring you back to this place.
10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
10 For this is what the Lord says: “When 70 years for Babylon are complete,(J) I will attend to you and will confirm My promise concerning you to restore you to this place.
10 "For this is what the LORD says: "When Babylon's seventy years are completed, I'll take note of you and will fulfill my good promises to you by bringing you back to this place.
11 For I know what I have planned for you,' says the Lord. 'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.
11 For I know the (Q)plans that I (h)have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for (R)welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a (S)hope.
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
11 For I know the plans I have for you”(K)—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
11 For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, "plans for well-being, and not for calamity, in order to give you a future and a hope.
14 I will make myself available to you,' says the Lord. 'Then I will reverse your plight and will regather you from all the nations and all the places where I have exiled you,' says the Lord. 'I will bring you back to the place from which I exiled you.'
14 I will be (X)found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will (Y)restore your (i)fortunes and will (Z)gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will (AA)bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’
14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
14 I will be found by you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and I will restore your fortunes(b)(N) and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place I deported you from.”(O)
14 I'll be found by you,' declares the LORD, "and I'll restore your security and gather you from all the nations and all the places to which I've driven you,' declares the LORD. "I'll bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.'
15 "You say, 'The Lord has raised up prophets of good news for us here in Babylon.'
15 Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon;
15 You have said, “The Lord has raised up prophets for us in Babylon!”
15 "Indeed, you have said, "The LORD has raised up prophets for us in Babylon.'
16 But just listen to what the Lord has to say about the king who occupies David's throne and all your fellow countrymen who are still living in this city of Jerusalem and were not carried off into exile with you.
16 for thus says the Lord concerning the king who sits on the throne of David, and concerning all the people who dwell in this city, your brothers who did (AC)not go with you into exile—
16 Know that thus saith the LORD of the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwelleth in this city, and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;
16 But this is what the Lord says concerning the king sitting on David’s throne and concerning all the people living in this city—that is, concerning your brothers who did not go with you into exile.
16 "But this is what the LORD says about the king who sits on David's throne, and about the people who live in this city your brothers who didn't go with you into exile:
17 The Lord who rules over all says, 'I will bring war, starvation, and disease on them. I will treat them like figs that are so rotten they cannot be eaten.
17 thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Behold, I am sending upon them the (AD)sword, famine and pestilence, and I will make them like (AE)split-open figs that cannot be eaten due to rottenness.
17 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
17 This is what the Lord of Hosts says: “I am about to send against them sword, famine, and plague(P) and will make them like rotten figs that are inedible because they are so bad.
17 This is what the LORD says: "I'm about to send the sword, famine, and plague on them, and I'll make them like rotten figs that cannot be eaten because they're so bad.
18 I will chase after them with war, starvation, and disease. I will make all the kingdoms of the earth horrified at what happens to them. I will make them examples of those who are cursed, objects of horror, hissing scorn, and ridicule among all the nations where I exile them.
18 I will pursue them with the sword, with famine and with pestilence; and I will (AF)make them a terror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a (AG)curse and a horror and a (AH)hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them,
18 And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:
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 nations where I have banished them.(Q)
18 I'll pursue them with the sword, with famine, and with plague, and I'll make them a horrifying sight to all the kingdoms of the earth. I'll make them a curse, an object of horror, and scorn, and a desolation in all the nations to which I've driven them,
19 For they have not paid attention to what I said to them through my servants the prophets whom I sent to them over and over again,' says the Lord. 'And you exiles have not paid any attention to them either,' says the Lord.
19 because they have (AI)not listened to My words,’ declares the Lord, ‘which I sent to them again and again by (AJ)My servants the prophets; but you did not listen,’ declares the Lord.
19 Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.
19 I will do this because they have not listened to My words”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“that I sent to them with My servants the prophets time and time again.(c)(R) And you too have not listened.” This is the Lord’s declaration.
19 because they didn't listen to my words,' declares the LORD. "When I sent my servants, the prophets, to you again and again, you didn't listen,' declares the LORD.
20 So pay attention to what I, the Lord, have said, all you exiles whom I have sent to Babylon from Jerusalem.'
20 You, therefore, hear the word of the Lord, all you exiles, whom I have (AK)sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon.
20 Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:
20 "Now, all you exiles whom I sent from Jerusalem to Babylon, listen to this message from the LORD!
21 "The Lord God of Israel who rules over all also has something to say about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies to you and claiming my authority to do so. 'I will hand them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and he will execute them before your very eyes.
21 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who are (AL)prophesying to you falsely in My name, ‘Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will slay them before your eyes.
21 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
21 This is what the Lord of 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:(T) “I am about to hand them over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will kill them before your very eyes.
21 This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, says about Kolaiah's son Ahab and Maaseiah's son Zedekiah, who are prophesying lies to you in my name, "I'm about to give them into the domination of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will kill them before your eyes.
22 And all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use them as examples when they put a curse on anyone. They will say, "May the Lord treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab whom the king of Babylon roasted to death in the fire!"
22 Because of them a (AM)curse will be (j)used by all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon, saying, “May the Lord make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon (AN)roasted in the fire,
22 And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
22 Based on what happens to them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will create a curse(U) that says, ‘May the Lord make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’(V)
22 What happens to them will be the basis for a curse for all the Judean exiles who are in Babylon. People will say, "May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the LORD roasted in the fire,
23 This will happen to them because they have done what is shameful in Israel. They have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives and have spoken lies while claiming my authority. They have spoken words that I did not command them to speak. I know what they have done. I have been a witness to it,' says the Lord."
23 because they have (AO)acted foolishly in Israel, and (AP)have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have (AQ)spoken words in My name falsely, which I did not command them; and I am He who (AR)knows and am a witness,” declares the Lord.’”
23 Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.
23 because they have committed an outrage(W) in 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 the Lord’s declaration.
23 because they did something stupid in Israel. They committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and in my name they spoke lies that I didn't command them. I'm the one who knows, and I'm a witness," declares the LORD.'"
25 that the Lord God of Israel who rules over all has a message for him. Tell him, 'On your own initiative you sent a letter to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah and to all the other priests and to all the people in Jerusalem. In your letter you said to Zephaniah,
25 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Because you have sent (AT)letters in your own name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to (AU)Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
25 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
25 “This is what the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: You(d) in your own name have sent out letters to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah(X) son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests, saying:
25 "This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, says: "Because you sent letters in your own name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, to Maaseiah's son Zephaniah the priest and to all the priests
26 "The Lord has made you priest in place of Jehoiada. He has put you in charge in the Lord's temple of controlling any lunatic who pretends to be a prophet. And it is your duty to put any such person in the stocks with an iron collar around his neck.
26 “The Lord has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, to be the (k)(AV)overseer in the house of the Lord over every (AW)madman who (AX)prophesies, to (AY)put him in the stocks and in the iron collar,
26 The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.
26 ‘The Lord has appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada the priest to be the chief officer(Y) in the temple of the Lord, responsible for every madman(Z) who acts like a prophet. You must confine him in the stocks(AA) and an iron collar.
26 The LORD made you a priest instead of Jehoiada the priest to serve in the LORD's Temple as an official against every crazy prophet, and to put him in stocks and restraints.
27 You should have reprimanded Jeremiah from Anathoth who is pretending to be a prophet among you!
27 Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you?
27 So now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who has been acting like a prophet among you?(AB)
27 And now, why didn't you rebuke Jeremiah from Anathoth who prophesies to you?
28 For he has even sent a message to us here in Babylon. He wrote and told us, "You will be there a long time. Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what they produce."'"
28 For he has (BA)sent to us in Babylon, saying, ‘The exile will be (BB)long; (BC)build houses and live in them and plant gardens and eat their (l)produce.’”’”
28 For therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying, This captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
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.”’”(AC)
28 So he sent a message to us in Babylon: "The exile will be long, so build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their produce.'"'"
31 "Send a message to all the exiles in Babylon. Tell them, 'The Lord has spoken about Shemaiah the Nehelamite. "Shemaiah has spoken to you as a prophet even though I did not send him. He is making you trust in a lie.
31 “Send to (BE)all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord concerning (BF)Shemaiah the Nehelamite, “Because Shemaiah has (BG)prophesied to you, although I did not send him, and he has (BH)made you trust in a lie,”
31 Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:
31 “Send a message to all the exiles, saying: This is what the Lord says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Because Shemaiah prophesied to you, though I did not send him, and made you trust a lie,(AD)
31 "Send a message to all the exiles: "This is what the LORD says about Shemaiah from Nehelam, "Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, even though I didn't send him, and has made you trust a lie,"
32 Because he has done this," the Lord says, "I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his whole family. There will not be any of them left to experience the good things that I will do for my people. I, the Lord, affirm it! For he counseled rebellion against the Lord."'"
32 therefore thus says the Lord, “Behold, I am about to (BI)punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his (n)descendants; he will (BJ)not have anyone living among this people, (BK)and he will not see the good that I am about to do to My people,” declares the Lord, “because he has (o)(BL)preached rebellion against the Lord.”’”
32 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.
32 this is what the Lord says: I am about to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. There will not be even one of his descendants living among these people,(AE) nor will any ever see the good that I will bring to My people”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“for he has preached rebellion against the Lord.”(AF)
32 therefore, this is what the LORD says: "I'm about to judge Shemaiah from Nehelam along with his descendants. He won't have anyone related to him living among these people. Nor will he see the good that I'll do for my people," declares the LORD, "because he advocated rebellion against the LORD."'"
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