Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
Proper 23C
1 These are the wordsA of the letterB that the prophetC JeremiahD
sentE from JerusalemF to the remainingG eldersH among the exiles,I
and to the priests,J the prophets, and allK the people,L whom NebuchadnezzarM had taken into exileN from Jerusalem to Babylon.O
4 Thus says the LordP of hosts,Q the GodR of Israel,S to all the exiles whom I have sent into exileT from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5 BuildU housesV and liveW in them; plantX gardensY and eatZ what they produce.AA
6 TakeBB wivesCC and haveDD sonsEE and daughters;FF
take wives for your sons, and giveGG your daughters in marriage,HH that they may bearII sons and daughters; multiplyJJ there, and do not decrease.KK
7 But seekLL the welfareMM of the cityNN where I have sent you into exile, and prayOO to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will findPP your welfare.
Image credit: “Morning Glory” in Ruhama, Israel by “Israel Nature Photography by Ary,” 2017.
