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Jeremiah’s Escape from Death

1 This message came to Jeremiah from theLordearly in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah,king of Judah.

2 “This is what theLordsays: Stand in the courtyard in front of the Temple of theLord, and make an announcement to the people who have come there to worship from all over Judah. Give them my entire message; include every word.

3 Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways. Then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins.

4 “Say to them, ‘This is what theLordsays: If you will not listen to me and obey my word I have given you,

5 and if you will not listen to my servants, the prophets—for I sent them again and again to warn you, but you would not listen to them—

6 then I will destroy this Temple as I destroyed Shiloh, the place where the Tabernacle was located. And I will make Jerusalem an object of cursing in every nation on earth.’”

7 The priests, the prophets, and all the people listened to Jeremiah as he spoke in front of theLord’s Temple.

8 But when Jeremiah had finished his message, saying everything theLordhad told him to say, the priests and prophets and all the people at the Temple mobbed him. “Kill him!” they shouted.

9 “What right do you have to prophesy in theLord’s name that this Temple will be destroyed like Shiloh? What do you mean, saying that Jerusalem will be destroyed and left with no inhabitants?” And all the people threatened him as he stood in front of the Temple.

10 When the officials of Judah heard what was happening, they rushed over from the palace and sat down at the New Gate of the Temple to hold court.

11 The priests and prophets presented their accusations to the officials and the people. “This man should die!” they said. “You have heard with your own ears what a traitor he is, for he has prophesied against this city.”

12 Then Jeremiah spoke to the officials and the people in his own defense. “TheLordsent me to prophesy against this Temple and this city,” he said. “TheLordgave me every word that I have spoken.

13 But if you stop your sinning and begin to obey theLordyour God, he will change his mind about this disaster that he has announced against you.

14 As for me, I am in your hands—do with me as you think best.

15 But if you kill me, rest assured that you will be killing an innocent man! The responsibility for such a deed will lie on you, on this city, and on every person living in it. For it is absolutely true that theLordsent me to speak every word you have heard.”

16 Then the officials and the people said to the priests and prophets, “This man does not deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the name of theLordour God.”

17 Then some of the wise old men stood and spoke to all the people assembled there.

18 They said, “Remember when Micah of Moresheth prophesied during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. He told the people of Judah,

‘This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says:

Mount Zion will be plowed like an open field;

Jerusalem will be reduced to ruins!

A thicket will grow on the heights

where the Temple now stands.’

19 But did King Hezekiah and the people kill him for saying this? No, they turned from their sins and worshiped theLord. They begged him for mercy. Then theLordchanged his mind about the terrible disaster he had pronounced against them. So we are about to do ourselves great harm.”

20 At this time Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim was also prophesying for theLord. And he predicted the same terrible disaster against the city and nation as Jeremiah did.

21 When King Jehoiakim and the army officers and officials heard what he was saying, the king sent someone to kill him. But Uriah heard about the plan and escaped in fear to Egypt.

22 Then King Jehoiakim sent Elnathan son of Acbor to Egypt along with several other men to capture Uriah.

23 They took him prisoner and brought him back to King Jehoiakim. The king then killed Uriah with a sword and had him buried in an unmarked grave.

24 Nevertheless, Ahikam son of Shaphan stood up for Jeremiah and persuaded the court not to turn him over to the mob to be killed.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/JER/26-7258d4df183c6f48c62d3d9cd0c63fb0.mp3?version_id=116—

Jeremiah Wears an Ox Yoke

1 This message came to Jeremiah from theLordearly in the reign of Zedekiahson of Josiah, king of Judah.

2 This is what theLordsaid to me: “Make a yoke, and fasten it on your neck with leather straps.

3 Then send messages to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through their ambassadors who have come to see King Zedekiah in Jerusalem.

4 Give them this message for their masters: ‘This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says:

5 With my great strength and powerful arm I made the earth and all its people and every animal. I can give these things of mine to anyone I choose.

6 Now I will give your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who is my servant. I have put everything, even the wild animals, under his control.

7 All the nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until his time is up. Then many nations and great kings will conquer and rule over Babylon.

8 So you must submit to Babylon’s king and serve him; put your neck under Babylon’s yoke! I will punish any nation that refuses to be his slave, says theLord. I will send war, famine, and disease upon that nation until Babylon has conquered it.

9 “‘Do not listen to your false prophets, fortune-tellers, interpreters of dreams, mediums, and sorcerers who say, “The king of Babylon will not conquer you.”

10 They are all liars, and their lies will lead to your being driven out of your land. I will drive you out and send you far away to die.

11 But the people of any nation that submits to the king of Babylon will be allowed to stay in their own country to farm the land as usual. I, theLord, have spoken!’”

12 Then I repeated this same message to King Zedekiah of Judah. “If you want to live, submit to the yoke of the king of Babylon and his people.

13 Why do you insist on dying—you and your people? Why should you choose war, famine, and disease, which theLordwill bring against every nation that refuses to submit to Babylon’s king?

14 Do not listen to the false prophets who keep telling you, ‘The king of Babylon will not conquer you.’ They are liars.

15 This is what theLordsays: ‘I have not sent these prophets! They are telling you lies in my name, so I will drive you from this land. You will all die—you and all these prophets, too.’”

16 Then I spoke to the priests and the people and said, “This is what theLordsays: ‘Do not listen to your prophets who claim that soon the gold articles taken from my Temple will be returned from Babylon. It is all a lie!

17 Do not listen to them. Surrender to the king of Babylon, and you will live. Why should this whole city be destroyed?

18 If they really are prophets and speak theLord’s messages, let them pray to theLordof Heaven’s Armies. Let them pray that the articles remaining in theLord’s Temple and in the king’s palace and in the palaces of Jerusalem will not be carried away to Babylon!’

19 “For theLordof Heaven’s Armies has spoken about the pillars in front of the Temple, the great bronze basin called the Sea, the water carts, and all the other ceremonial articles.

20 King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon left them here when he exiled Jehoiachinson of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, to Babylon, along with all the other nobles of Judah and Jerusalem.

21 Yes, this is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says about the precious things still in the Temple, in the palace of Judah’s king, and in Jerusalem:

22 ‘They will all be carried away to Babylon and will stay there until I send for them,’ says theLord. ‘Then I will bring them back to Jerusalem again.’”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/JER/27-11bb3d26c39fa013b2dbc1fb297ea5fd.mp3?version_id=116—

Jeremiah Condemns Hananiah

1 One day in late summerof that same year—the fourth year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah—Hananiah son of Azzur, a prophet from Gibeon, addressed me publicly in the Temple while all the priests and people listened. He said,

2 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will remove the yoke of the king of Babylon from your necks.

3 Within two years I will bring back all the Temple treasures that King Nebuchadnezzar carried off to Babylon.

4 And I will bring back Jehoiachinson of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the other captives that were taken to Babylon. I will surely break the yoke that the king of Babylon has put on your necks. I, theLord, have spoken!’”

5 Jeremiah responded to Hananiah as they stood in front of all the priests and people at the Temple.

6 He said, “Amen! May your prophecies come true! I hope theLorddoes everything you say. I hope he does bring back from Babylon the treasures of this Temple and all the captives.

7 But listen now to the solemn words I speak to you in the presence of all these people.

8 The ancient prophets who preceded you and me spoke against many nations, always warning of war, disaster, and disease.

9 So a prophet who predicts peace must show he is right. Only when his predictions come true can we know that he is really from theLord.”

10 Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke off Jeremiah’s neck and broke it in pieces.

11 And Hananiah said again to the crowd that had gathered, “This is what theLordsays: ‘Just as this yoke has been broken, within two years I will break the yoke of oppression from all the nations now subject to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.’” With that, Jeremiah left the Temple area.

12 Soon after this confrontation with Hananiah, theLordgave this message to Jeremiah:

13 “Go and tell Hananiah, ‘This is what theLordsays: You have broken a wooden yoke, but you have replaced it with a yoke of iron.

14 TheLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: I have put a yoke of iron on the necks of all these nations, forcing them into slavery under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I have put everything, even the wild animals, under his control.’”

15 Then Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! TheLordhas not sent you, but the people believe your lies.

16 Therefore, this is what theLordsays: ‘You must die. Your life will end this very year because you have rebelled against theLord.’”

17 Two months laterthe prophet Hananiah died.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/JER/28-8413a317cfb19ce4e09f6604450a5115.mp3?version_id=116—

A Letter to the Exiles

1 Jeremiah wrote a letter from Jerusalem to the elders, priests, prophets, and all the people who had been exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.

2 This was after King Jehoiachin,the queen mother, the court officials, the other officials of Judah, and all the craftsmen and artisans had been deported from Jerusalem.

3 He sent the letter with Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah when they went to Babylon as King Zedekiah’s ambassadors to Nebuchadnezzar. This is what Jeremiah’s letter said:

4 This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem:

5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce.

6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away!

7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to theLordfor it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

8 This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams,

9 because they are telling you lies in my name. I have not sent them,” says theLord.

10 This is what theLordsays: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says theLord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

12 In those days when you pray, I will listen.

13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

14 I will be found by you,” says theLord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

15 You claim that theLordhas raised up prophets for you in Babylon.

16 But this is what theLordsays about the king who sits on David’s throne and all those still living here in Jerusalem—your relatives who were not exiled to Babylon.

17 This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: “I will send war, famine, and disease upon them and make them like bad figs, too rotten to eat.

18 Yes, I will pursue them with war, famine, and disease, and I will scatter them around the world. In every nation where I send them, I will make them an object of damnation, horror, contempt, and mockery.

19 For they refuse to listen to me, though I have spoken to them repeatedly through the prophets I sent. And you who are in exile have not listened either,” says theLord.

20 Therefore, listen to this message from theLord, all you captives there in Babylon.

21 This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says about your prophets—Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah—who are telling you lies in my name: “I will turn them over to Nebuchadnezzarfor execution before your eyes.

22 Their terrible fate will become proverbial, so that the Judean exiles will curse someone by saying, ‘May theLordmake you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned alive!’

23 For these men have done terrible things among my people. They have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have lied in my name, saying things I did not command. I am a witness to this. I, theLord, have spoken.”

A Message for Shemaiah

24 TheLordsent this message to Shemaiah the Nehelamite in Babylon:

25 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: You wrote a letter on your own authority to Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, the priest, and you sent copies to the other priests and people in Jerusalem. You wrote to Zephaniah,

26 “TheLordhas appointed you to replace Jehoiada as the priest in charge of the house of theLord. You are responsible to put into stocks and neck irons any crazy man who claims to be a prophet.

27 So why have you done nothing to stop Jeremiah from Anathoth, who pretends to be a prophet among you?

28 Jeremiah sent a letter here to Babylon, predicting that our captivity will be a long one. He said, ‘Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce.’”

29 But when Zephaniah the priest received Shemaiah’s letter, he took it to Jeremiah and read it to him.

30 Then theLordgave this message to Jeremiah:

31 “Send an open letter to all the exiles in Babylon. Tell them, ‘This is what theLordsays concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Since he has prophesied to you when I did not send him and has tricked you into believing his lies,

32 I will punish him and his family. None of his descendants will see the good things I will do for my people, for he has incited you to rebel against me. I, theLord, have spoken!’”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/JER/29-aac9833c83cff9e9c81440c7fac54395.mp3?version_id=116—

Promises of Deliverance

1 TheLordgave another message to Jeremiah. He said,

2 “This is what theLord, the God of Israel, says: Write down for the record everything I have said to you, Jeremiah.

3 For the time is coming when I will restore the fortunes of my people of Israel and Judah. I will bring them home to this land that I gave to their ancestors, and they will possess it again. I, theLord, have spoken!”

4 This is the message theLordgave concerning Israel and Judah.

5 This is what theLordsays:

“I hear cries of fear;

there is terror and no peace.

6 Now let me ask you a question:

Do men give birth to babies?

Then why do they stand there, ashen-faced,

hands pressed against their sides

like a woman in labor?

7 In all history there has never been such a time of terror.

It will be a time of trouble for my people Israel.

Yet in the end they will be saved!

8 For in that day,”

says theLordof Heaven’s Armies,

“I will break the yoke from their necks

and snap their chains.

Foreigners will no longer be their masters.

9 For my people will serve theLordtheir God

and their king descended from David—

the king I will raise up for them.

10 “So do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant;

do not be dismayed, Israel,”

says theLord.

“For I will bring you home again from distant lands,

and your children will return from their exile.

Israel will return to a life of peace and quiet,

and no one will terrorize them.

11 For I am with you and will save you,”

says theLord.

“I will completely destroy the nations where I have scattered you,

but I will not completely destroy you.

I will discipline you, but with justice;

I cannot let you go unpunished.”

12 This is what theLordsays:

“Your injury is incurable—

a terrible wound.

13 There is no one to help you

or to bind up your injury.

No medicine can heal you.

14 All your lovers—your allies—have left you

and do not care about you anymore.

I have wounded you cruelly,

as though I were your enemy.

For your sins are many,

and your guilt is great.

15 Why do you protest your punishment—

this wound that has no cure?

I have had to punish you

because your sins are many

and your guilt is great.

16 “But all who devour you will be devoured,

and all your enemies will be sent into exile.

All who plunder you will be plundered,

and all who attack you will be attacked.

17 I will give you back your health

and heal your wounds,” says theLord.

“For you are called an outcast—

‘Jerusalemfor whom no one cares.’”

18 This is what theLordsays:

“When I bring Israel home again from captivity

and restore their fortunes,

Jerusalem will be rebuilt on its ruins,

and the palace reconstructed as before.

19 There will be joy and songs of thanksgiving,

and I will multiply my people, not diminish them;

I will honor them, not despise them.

20 Their children will prosper as they did long ago.

I will establish them as a nation before me,

and I will punish anyone who hurts them.

21 They will have their own ruler again,

and he will come from their own people.

I will invite him to approach me,” says theLord,

“for who would dare to come unless invited?

22 You will be my people,

and I will be your God.”

23 Look! TheLord’s anger bursts out like a storm,

a driving wind that swirls down on the heads of the wicked.

24 The fierce anger of theLordwill not diminish

until it has finished all he has planned.

In the days to come

you will understand all this.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/JER/30-2ba3e6c34a43a0696678133dadcc7c14.mp3?version_id=116—

Hope for Restoration

1 “In that day,” says theLord, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.

2 This is what theLordsays:

“Those who survive the coming destruction

will find blessings even in the barren land,

for I will give rest to the people of Israel.”

3 Long ago theLordsaid to Israel:

“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.

With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.

4 I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel.

You will again be happy

and dance merrily with your tambourines.

5 Again you will plant your vineyards on the mountains of Samaria

and eat from your own gardens there.

6 The day will come when watchmen will shout

from the hill country of Ephraim,

‘Come, let us go up to Jerusalem

to worship theLordour God.’”

7 Now this is what theLordsays:

“Sing with joy for Israel.

Shout for the greatest of nations!

Shout out with praise and joy:

‘Save your people, OLord,

the remnant of Israel!’

8 For I will bring them from the north

and from the distant corners of the earth.

I will not forget the blind and lame,

the expectant mothers and women in labor.

A great company will return!

9 Tears of joy will stream down their faces,

and I will lead them home with great care.

They will walk beside quiet streams

and on smooth paths where they will not stumble.

For I am Israel’s father,

and Ephraim is my oldest child.

10 “Listen to this message from theLord,

you nations of the world;

proclaim it in distant coastlands:

TheLord, who scattered his people,

will gather them and watch over them

as a shepherd does his flock.

11 For theLordhas redeemed Israel

from those too strong for them.

12 They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem.

They will be radiant because of theLord’s good gifts—

the abundant crops of grain, new wine, and olive oil,

and the healthy flocks and herds.

Their life will be like a watered garden,

and all their sorrows will be gone.

13 The young women will dance for joy,

and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration.

I will turn their mourning into joy.

I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.

14 The priests will enjoy abundance,

and my people will feast on my good gifts.

I, theLord, have spoken!”

Rachel’s Sadness Turns to Joy

15 This is what theLordsays:

“A cry is heard in Ramah—

deep anguish and bitter weeping.

Rachel weeps for her children,

refusing to be comforted—

for her children are gone.”

16 But now this is what theLordsays:

“Do not weep any longer,

for I will reward you,” says theLord.

“Your children will come back to you

from the distant land of the enemy.

17 There is hope for your future,” says theLord.

“Your children will come again to their own land.

18 I have heard Israelsaying,

‘You disciplined me severely,

like a calf that needs training for the yoke.

Turn me again to you and restore me,

for you alone are theLordmy God.

19 I turned away from God,

but then I was sorry.

I kicked myself for my stupidity!

I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days.’

20 “Is not Israel still my son,

my darling child?” says theLord.

“I often have to punish him,

but I still love him.

That’s why I long for him

and surely will have mercy on him.

21 Set up road signs;

put up guideposts.

Mark well the path

by which you came.

Come back again, my virgin Israel;

return to your towns here.

22 How long will you wander,

my wayward daughter?

For theLordwill cause something new to happen—

Israel will embrace her God.”

23 This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “When I bring them back from captivity, the people of Judah and its towns will again say, ‘TheLordbless you, O righteous home, O holy mountain!’

24 Townspeople and farmers and shepherds alike will live together in peace and happiness.

25 For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”

26 At this, I woke up and looked around. My sleep had been very sweet.

27 “The day is coming,” says theLord, “when I will greatly increase the human population and the number of animals here in Israel and Judah.

28 In the past I deliberately uprooted and tore down this nation. I overthrew it, destroyed it, and brought disaster upon it. But in the future I will just as deliberately plant it and build it up. I, theLord, have spoken!

29 “The people will no longer quote this proverb:

‘The parents have eaten sour grapes,

but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste.’

30 All people will die for their own sins—those who eat the sour grapes will be the ones whose mouths will pucker.

31 “The day is coming,” says theLord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah.

32 This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says theLord.

33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says theLord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know theLord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says theLord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

35 It is theLordwho provides the sun to light the day

and the moon and stars to light the night,

and who stirs the sea into roaring waves.

His name is theLordof Heaven’s Armies,

and this is what he says:

36 “I am as likely to reject my people Israel

as I am to abolish the laws of nature!”

37 This is what theLordsays:

“Just as the heavens cannot be measured

and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored,

so I will not consider casting them away

for the evil they have done.

I, theLord, have spoken!

38 “The day is coming,” says theLord, “when all Jerusalem will be rebuilt for me, from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.

39 A measuring line will be stretched out over the hill of Gareb and across to Goah.

40 And the entire area—including the graveyard and ash dump in the valley, and all the fields out to the Kidron Valley on the east as far as the Horse Gate—will be holy to theLord. The city will never again be captured or destroyed.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/JER/31-4a4e8bc72e0aae57d17b81b58bf1d713.mp3?version_id=116—

Jeremiah’s Land Purchase

1 The following message came to Jeremiah from theLordin the tenth year of the reign of Zedekiah,king of Judah. This was also the eighteenth year of the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar.

2 Jerusalem was then under siege from the Babylonian army, and Jeremiah was imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace.

3 King Zedekiah had put him there, asking why he kept giving this prophecy: “This is what theLordsays: ‘I am about to hand this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will take it.

4 King Zedekiah will be captured by the Babyloniansand taken to meet the king of Babylon face to face.

5 He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, and I will deal with him there,’ says theLord. ‘If you fight against the Babylonians, you will never succeed.’”

6 At that time theLordsent me a message. He said,

7 “Your cousin Hanamel son of Shallum will come and say to you, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth. By law you have the right to buy it before it is offered to anyone else.’”

8 Then, just as theLordhad said he would, my cousin Hanamel came and visited me in the prison. He said, “Please buy my field at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. By law you have the right to buy it before it is offered to anyone else, so buy it for yourself.” Then I knew that the message I had heard was from theLord.

9 So I bought the field at Anathoth, paying Hanamel seventeen piecesof silver for it.

10 I signed and sealed the deed of purchase before witnesses, weighed out the silver, and paid him.

11 Then I took the sealed deed and an unsealed copy of the deed, which contained the terms and conditions of the purchase,

12 and I handed them to Baruch son of Neriah and grandson of Mahseiah. I did all this in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, the witnesses who had signed the deed, and all the men of Judah who were there in the courtyard of the guardhouse.

13 Then I said to Baruch as they all listened,

14 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Take both this sealed deed and the unsealed copy, and put them into a pottery jar to preserve them for a long time.’

15 For this is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Someday people will again own property here in this land and will buy and sell houses and vineyards and fields.’”

Jeremiah’s Prayer

16 Then after I had given the papers to Baruch, I prayed to theLord:

17 “O SovereignLord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!

18 You show unfailing love to thousands, but you also bring the consequences of one generation’s sin upon the next. You are the great and powerful God, theLordof Heaven’s Armies.

19 You have all wisdom and do great and mighty miracles. You see the conduct of all people, and you give them what they deserve.

20 You performed miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt—things still remembered to this day! And you have continued to do great miracles in Israel and all around the world. You have made your name famous to this day.

21 “You brought Israel out of Egypt with mighty signs and wonders, with a strong hand and powerful arm, and with overwhelming terror.

22 You gave the people of Israel this land that you had promised their ancestors long before—a land flowing with milk and honey.

23 Our ancestors came and conquered it and lived in it, but they refused to obey you or follow your word. They have not done anything you commanded. That is why you have sent this terrible disaster upon them.

24 “See how the siege ramps have been built against the city walls! Through war, famine, and disease, the city will be handed over to the Babylonians, who will conquer it. Everything has happened just as you said.

25 And yet, O SovereignLord, you have told me to buy the field—paying good money for it before these witnesses—even though the city will soon be handed over to the Babylonians.”

A Prediction of Jerusalem’s Fall

26 Then this message came to Jeremiah from theLord:

27 “I am theLord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?

28 Therefore, this is what theLordsays: I will hand this city over to the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and he will capture it.

29 The Babylonians outside the walls will come in and set fire to the city. They will burn down all these houses where the people provoked my anger by burning incense to Baal on the rooftops and by pouring out liquid offerings to other gods.

30 Israel and Judah have done nothing but wrong since their earliest days. They have infuriated me with all their evil deeds,” says theLord.

31 “From the time this city was built until now, it has done nothing but anger me, so I am determined to get rid of it.

32 “The sins of Israel and Judah—the sins of the people of Jerusalem, the kings, the officials, the priests, and the prophets—have stirred up my anger.

33 My people have turned their backs on me and have refused to return. Even though I diligently taught them, they would not receive instruction or obey.

34 They have set up their abominable idols right in my own Temple, defiling it.

35 They have built pagan shrines to Baal in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind to command such a thing. What an incredible evil, causing Judah to sin so greatly!

A Promise of Restoration

36 “Now I want to say something more about this city. You have been saying, ‘It will fall to the king of Babylon through war, famine, and disease.’ But this is what theLord, the God of Israel, says:

37 I will certainly bring my people back again from all the countries where I will scatter them in my fury. I will bring them back to this very city and let them live in peace and safety.

38 They will be my people, and I will be their God.

39 And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants.

40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me.

41 I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.

42 “This is what theLordsays: Just as I have brought all these calamities on them, so I will do all the good I have promised them.

43 Fields will again be bought and sold in this land about which you now say, ‘It has been ravaged by the Babylonians, a desolate land where people and animals have all disappeared.’

44 Yes, fields will once again be bought and sold—deeds signed and sealed and witnessed—in the land of Benjamin and here in Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah and in the hill country, in the foothills of Judahand in the Negev, too. For someday I will restore prosperity to them. I, theLord, have spoken!”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/JER/32-2fd731d78eb2581ade6600004ac14842.mp3?version_id=116—

Promises of Peace and Prosperity

1 While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, theLordgave him this second message:

2 “This is what theLordsays—theLordwho made the earth, who formed and established it, whose name is theLord:

3 Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.

4 For this is what theLord, the God of Israel, says: You have torn down the houses of this city and even the king’s palace to get materials to strengthen the walls against the siege ramps and swords of the enemy.

5 You expect to fight the Babylonians,but the men of this city are already as good as dead, for I have determined to destroy them in my terrible anger. I have abandoned them because of all their wickedness.

6 “Nevertheless, the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem’s wounds and give it prosperity and true peace.

7 I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel and rebuild their towns.

8 I will cleanse them of their sins against me and forgive all their sins of rebellion.

9 Then this city will bring me joy, glory, and honor before all the nations of the earth! The people of the world will see all the good I do for my people, and they will tremble with awe at the peace and prosperity I provide for them.

10 “This is what theLordsays: You have said, ‘This is a desolate land where people and animals have all disappeared.’ Yet in the empty streets of Jerusalem and Judah’s other towns, there will be heard once more

11 the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to theLord. They will sing,

‘Give thanks to theLordof Heaven’s Armies,

for theLordis good.

His faithful love endures forever!’

For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says theLord.

12 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: This land—though it is now desolate and has no people and animals—will once more have pastures where shepherds can lead their flocks.

13 Once again shepherds will count their flocks in the towns of the hill country, the foothills of Judah,the Negev, the land of Benjamin, the vicinity of Jerusalem, and all the towns of Judah. I, theLord, have spoken!

14 “The day will come, says theLord, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them.

15 “In those days and at that time

I will raise up a righteous descendantfrom King David’s line.

He will do what is just and right throughout the land.

16 In that day Judah will be saved,

and Jerusalem will live in safety.

And this will be its name:

‘TheLordIs Our Righteousness.’

17 For this is what theLordsays: David will have a descendant sitting on the throne of Israel forever.

18 And there will always be Levitical priests to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings and sacrifices to me.”

19 Then this message came to Jeremiah from theLord:

20 “This is what theLordsays: If you can break my covenant with the day and the night so that one does not follow the other,

21 only then will my covenant with my servant David be broken. Only then will he no longer have a descendant to reign on his throne. The same is true for my covenant with the Levitical priests who minister before me.

22 And as the stars of the sky cannot be counted and the sand on the seashore cannot be measured, so I will multiply the descendants of my servant David and the Levites who minister before me.”

23 TheLordgave another message to Jeremiah. He said,

24 “Have you noticed what people are saying?—‘TheLordchose Judah and Israel and then abandoned them!’ They are sneering and saying that Israel is not worthy to be counted as a nation.

25 But this is what theLordsays: I would no more reject my people than I would change my laws that govern night and day, earth and sky.

26 I will never abandon the descendants of Jacob or David, my servant, or change the plan that David’s descendants will rule the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Instead, I will restore them to their land and have mercy on them.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/JER/33-eb1bd027c93faa1ed9ee5a25327f7711.mp3?version_id=116—

A Warning for Zedekiah

1 King Nebuchadnezzarof Babylon came with all the armies from the kingdoms he ruled, and he fought against Jerusalem and the towns of Judah. At that time this message came to Jeremiah from theLord:

2 “Go to King Zedekiah of Judah, and tell him, ‘This is what theLord, the God of Israel, says: I am about to hand this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down.

3 You will not escape his grasp but will be captured and taken to meet the king of Babylon face to face. Then you will be exiled to Babylon.

4 “‘But listen to this promise from theLord, O Zedekiah, king of Judah. This is what theLordsays: You will not be killed in war

5 but will die peacefully. People will burn incense in your memory, just as they did for your ancestors, the kings who preceded you. They will mourn for you, crying, “Alas, our master is dead!” This I have decreed, says theLord.’”

6 So Jeremiah the prophet delivered the message to King Zedekiah of Judah.

7 At this time the Babylonian army was besieging Jerusalem, Lachish, and Azekah—the only fortified cities of Judah not yet captured.

Freedom for Hebrew Slaves

8 This message came to Jeremiah from theLordafter King Zedekiah made a covenant with the people, proclaiming freedom for the slaves.

9 He had ordered all the people to free their Hebrew slaves—both men and women. No one was to keep a fellow Judean in bondage.

10 The officials and all the people had obeyed the king’s command,

11 but later they changed their minds. They took back the men and women they had freed, forcing them to be slaves again.

12 So theLordgave them this message through Jeremiah:

13 “This is what theLord, the God of Israel, says: I made a covenant with your ancestors long ago when I rescued them from their slavery in Egypt.

14 I told them that every Hebrew slave must be freed after serving six years. But your ancestors paid no attention to me.

15 Recently you repented and did what was right, following my command. You freed your slaves and made a solemn covenant with me in the Temple that bears my name.

16 But now you have shrugged off your oath and defiled my name by taking back the men and women you had freed, forcing them to be slaves once again.

17 “Therefore, this is what theLordsays: Since you have not obeyed me by setting your countrymen free, I will set you free to be destroyed by war, disease, and famine. You will be an object of horror to all the nations of the earth.

18 Because you have broken the terms of our covenant, I will cut you apart just as you cut apart the calf when you walked between its halves to solemnize your vows.

19 Yes, I will cut you apart, whether you are officials of Judah or Jerusalem, court officials, priests, or common people—for you have broken your oath.

20 I will give you to your enemies, and they will kill you. Your bodies will be food for the vultures and wild animals.

21 “I will hand over King Zedekiah of Judah and his officials to the army of the king of Babylon. And although they have left Jerusalem for a while,

22 I will call the Babylonian armies back again. They will fight against this city and will capture it and burn it down. I will see to it that all the towns of Judah are destroyed, with no one living there.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/JER/34-01101215800be75099eb72cdeb534940.mp3?version_id=116—

The Faithful Recabites

1 This is the message theLordgave Jeremiah when Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah:

2 “Go to the settlement where the families of the Recabites live, and invite them to theLord’s Temple. Take them into one of the inner rooms, and offer them some wine.”

3 So I went to see Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah and grandson of Habazziniah and all his brothers and sons—representing all the Recabite families.

4 I took them to the Temple, and we went into the room assigned to the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, a man of God. This room was located next to the one used by the Temple officials, directly above the room of Maaseiah son of Shallum, the Temple gatekeeper.

5 I set cups and jugs of wine before them and invited them to have a drink,

6 but they refused. “No,” they said, “we don’t drink wine, because our ancestor Jehonadabson of Recab gave us this command: ‘You and your descendants must never drink wine.

7 And do not build houses or plant crops or vineyards, but always live in tents. If you follow these commands, you will live long, good lives in the land.’

8 So we have obeyed him in all these things. We have never had a drink of wine to this day, nor have our wives, our sons, or our daughters.

9 We haven’t built houses or owned vineyards or farms or planted crops.

10 We have lived in tents and have fully obeyed all the commands of Jehonadab, our ancestor.

11 But when King Nebuchadnezzarof Babylon attacked this country, we were afraid of the Babylonian and Syrianarmies. So we decided to move to Jerusalem. That is why we are here.”

12 Then theLordgave this message to Jeremiah:

13 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: Go and say to the people in Judah and Jerusalem, ‘Come and learn a lesson about how to obey me.

14 The Recabites do not drink wine to this day because their ancestor Jehonadab told them not to. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you refuse to obey me.

15 Time after time I sent you prophets, who told you, “Turn from your wicked ways, and start doing things right. Stop worshiping other gods so that you might live in peace here in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you would not listen to me or obey me.

16 The descendants of Jehonadab son of Recab have obeyed their ancestor completely, but you have refused to listen to me.’

17 “Therefore, this is what theLordGod of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you refuse to listen or answer when I call, I will send upon Judah and Jerusalem all the disasters I have threatened.’”

18 Then Jeremiah turned to the Recabites and said, “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed your ancestor Jehonadab in every respect, following all his instructions.’

19 Therefore, this is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Recab will always have descendants who serve me.’”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/JER/35-155cf3589b9fbb4130cb9a8032f44d90.mp3?version_id=116—