2. This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the court officials, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the artisans and smiths had left Jerusalem.
3. Delivered in Babylon by Elasah, son of Shaphan, and by Gemariah, son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah, king of Judah, sent to the king of Babylon, the letter read:
4. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5. Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their fruits.
6. Take wives and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters. Increase there; do not decrease.
7. Seek the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you; pray for it to the Lord, for upon its welfare your own depends.
8. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners who are among you; do not listen to those among you who dream dreams,
9. for they prophesy lies to you in my name; I did not send them—oracle of the Lord.
10. For thus says the Lord: Only after seventy years have elapsed for Babylon will I deal with you and fulfill for you my promise to bring you back to this place.
11. For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.
12. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you.
13. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart,