Study Desk

"This is what the LORD said to me: Make for yourself a yoke out of leather straps and put it on your neck.

Give them a message for their masters declaring that this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says that you are to tell them:

As for the nation or kingdom that does not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and does not place its neck under his yoke, I will punish that nation by sword and famine and plague, declares the LORD, until I have destroyed it by his hand.

But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who tell you, 'You shall not serve the king of Babylon.'

For they prophesy to you a lie that will serve to remove you from your land; I will banish you and you will perish.

Do not listen to the words of the prophets who tell you, 'You must not serve the king of Babylon,' for they are prophesying to you a lie.

'For I have not sent them,' declares the LORD, 'and yet they are prophesying falsely in My name; therefore I will banish you and you will perish-you and the prophets who prophesy to you.'"

For this is what the LORD of Hosts says about the pillars, the sea, the bases, and the rest of the articles that still remain in this city,

And I will restore to this place Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with all the exiles from Judah who went to Babylon,' declares the LORD, 'for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.'"

As for the prophet who prophesies peace, only if the word of the prophet comes true will the prophet be recognized as one the LORD has truly sent."

For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: 'I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations to make them serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and they will serve him. I have even given him control of the beasts of the field.'"

Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease.

Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.'

For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: 'Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them.

For they are falsely prophesying to you in My name; I have not sent them, declares the LORD.'"

For this is what the LORD says: "When Babylon's seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.

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

Because you may say, "The LORD has raised up for us prophets in Babylon,"

For they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with the wives of their neighbors and speaking lies in My name, which I did not command them to do. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD.