Study Desk

And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.

For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the LORD.

For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

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

Because you have said, "The LORD has raised up prophets for us in Babylon"--

For he has sent to us in Babylon, saying, "This captivity is long; build houses and dwell in them, and plant gardens and eat their fruit."'

therefore thus says the LORD: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his family: he shall not have anyone to dwell among this people, nor shall he see the good that I will do for My people, says the LORD, because he has taught rebellion against the LORD.

"Thus speaks the LORD God of Israel, saying: "Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you.

For behold, the days are coming,' says the LORD, "that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,' says the LORD. "And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it."'

"For thus says the LORD: "We have heard a voice of trembling, Of fear, and not of peace.

Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob's trouble, But he shall be saved out of it.

"For it shall come to pass in that day,' Says the LORD of hosts, "That I will break his yoke from your neck, And will burst your bonds; Foreigners shall no more enslave them.

But they shall serve the LORD their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up for them.

"Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,' says the LORD, "Nor be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar, And your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, And no one shall make him afraid.

For I am with you,' says the LORD, "to save you; Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished.'

"For thus says the LORD: "Your affliction is incurable, Your wound is severe.

All your lovers have forgotten you; They do not seek you; For I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy, With the chastisement of a cruel one, For the multitude of your iniquities, Because your sins have increased.

For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,' says the LORD, "Because they called you an outcast saying: "This is Zion; No one seeks her."'