Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, July 8th, 2025
the Week of Proper 9 / Ordinary 14
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Easy-to-Read Version

Jeremiah 29:25

This is what the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, says: "Shemaiah, you sent letters to all the people in Jerusalem and to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. You also sent letters to all the priests. You sent those letters in your own name and not by my authority.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Maaseiah;   Shemaiah;   Zephaniah;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Shemaiah;   Zephaniah;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Prophecy, prophet;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Shemaiah;   Zephaniah;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Canon of the Old Testament;   Jehoiada;   Kings, the Books of;   Maaseiah;   Shemaiah;   Writing;   Zedekiah;   Zephaniah;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Jehoiada;   Jeremiah;   Maaseiah;   Shemaiah;   Zephaniah;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Greek Versions of Ot;   Maaseiah;   Shemaiah;   Zephaniah;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Maaseiah ;   Shemaiah ;   Zephaniah ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Shemaiah;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Jehoiada;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Jeho-I'ada;   Ma-Ase'iah;   Shemai'ah;   Zephani'ah;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ezekiel;   Maaseiah;   Priest, High;   Shemaiah;   Zephaniah;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
“This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: You in your own name have sent out letters to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests, saying,
Hebrew Names Version
Thus speaks the LORD of Hosts, the God of Yisra'el, saying, Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people who are at Yerushalayim, and to Tzefanyah the son of Ma`aseyah, the Kohen, and to all the Kohanim, saying,
King James Version
Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
English Standard Version
"Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: You have sent letters in your name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
New American Standard Bible
"This is what the LORD of armies, the God of Israel says: 'Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to the priest Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests, saying,
New Century Version
The Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, says: "Shemaiah, you sent letters in your name to all the people in Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests.
Amplified Bible
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
World English Bible
Thus speaks Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people who are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
Geneva Bible (1587)
Thus speaketh the Lorde of hostes, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy Name vnto all the people, that are at Ierusalem, and to Zephaniah the sonne of Maaseiah the Priest, and to all the Priests, saying,
Legacy Standard Bible
"Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people who are in Jerusalem and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
Berean Standard Bible
"This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: In your own name you have sent out letters to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests, saying:
Complete Jewish Bible
‘This is a word from Adonai -Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, because of the letters you sent in your own name to all the people in Yerushalayim, including Tz'fanyah the son of Ma‘aseiyah the cohen and all the cohanim.
Darby Translation
Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
George Lamsa Translation
Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have sent a letter in his name to all the people who are in Jerusalem and to Zephaniah the son of Maasiah the priest and to all the priests, saying,
Lexham English Bible
"Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Because you yourself sent a letter in your name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah, the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
Literal Translation
So says Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because you have sent letters in your name to all the people in Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Thus saieth the LORDE of hoostes the God of Israel: Because thou hast sealed lettres vnder thy name, vnto all the people that is at Ierusalem, & to Sophonias the sonne of Maasia the prest, yee and sent them to all the prestes: where in thou wrytest thus vnto him:
American Standard Version
Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thine own name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
Bible in Basic English
Shemaiah the Nehelamite sent a letter in his name to Zephaniah, the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying,
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying: Because thou hast sent letters in thine own name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying:
King James Version (1611)
Thus speaketh the Lord of hostes the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name vnto all the people that are at Ierusalem, and to Zephaniah the sonne of Maaseiah the Priest, and to all the priests, saying;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Thus saith the Lorde of hoastes the God of Israel, Because thou hast sent letters in thine owne name vnto all the people that is at Hierusalem, and to Sophoniah the sonne of Maasiah the priest, yea & sent them to all the priestes, wherin thou writest thus vnto hym:
English Revised Version
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thine own name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
The Lord of oostis, God of Israel, seith these thingis, For that that thou sentist bookis in my name to al the puple, which is in Jerusalem, and to Sofony, the sone of Maasie, the preest, and to alle the prestis,
Update Bible Version
Thus speaks Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
Webster's Bible Translation
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name to all the people that [are] at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
New English Translation
that the Lord God of Israel who rules over all has a message for him. Tell him, ‘On your own initiative you sent a letter to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah and to all the other priests and to all the people in Jerusalem. In your letter you said to Zephaniah,
New King James Version
Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying: You have sent letters in your name to all the people who are at Jerusalem, to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
New Living Translation
"This is what the Lord of 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,
New Life Bible
"This is what the Lord of All, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have sent letters in your own name to all the people in Jerusalem and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the religious leader, and to all the religious leaders. You said to Zephaniah,
New Revised Standard
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: In your own name you sent a letter to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests, saying,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Thus, speaketh Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, saying, - Because, thou, hast sent in, thine own name, letters, unto all the people who are in Jerusalem, and unto Zephaniah son, of Maaseiah the priest, and unto all the priests saying:
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel: Because thou hast sent letters in thy name to all the people that are in Jerusalem, and to Sophonias the son of Maasias the priest, and to all the priests, saying:
Revised Standard Version
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: You have sent letters in your name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to Zephani'ah the son of Ma-asei'ah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, saying, Because that thou hast sent in thy name letters unto all the people who [are] in Jerusalem, and unto Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest, and unto all the priests, saying,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,

Contextual Overview

24 Also give a message to Shemaiah from the Nehelam family. 25 This is what the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, says: "Shemaiah, you sent letters to all the people in Jerusalem and to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. You also sent letters to all the priests. You sent those letters in your own name and not by my authority. 26 Shemaiah, this is what you said in your letter to Zephaniah: ‘Zephaniah, the Lord has made you priest in place of Jehoiada. You are to be in charge of the Lord 's Temple. You should arrest anyone who acts like a crazy person and acts like a prophet. You should put that person's feet between large blocks of wood and put neck irons on him. 27 Now Jeremiah is acting like a prophet. So why didn't you arrest him? 28 Jeremiah has sent this message to us in Babylon: You people in Babylon will be there for a long time, so build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what you grow.'" 29 Zephaniah the priest read the letter to Jeremiah the prophet. 30 Then this message from the Lord came to Jeremiah: 31 "Jeremiah, send this message to all the captives in Babylon: ‘This is what the Lord says about Shemaiah, the man from the Nehelam family: Shemaiah has spoken to you, but I didn't send him. He has made you believe a lie. 32 Because Shemaiah has done that, this is what the Lord says: I will soon punish Shemaiah, the man from the Nehelam family. I will completely destroy his family, and he will not share in the good things I will do for my people.'" This message is from the Lord . "‘I will punish Shemaiah because he has taught the people to turn against the Lord .'"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Because: 1 Kings 21:8-13, 2 Kings 10:1-7, 2 Kings 19:9, 2 Kings 19:14, 2 Chronicles 32:17, Ezra 4:7-16, Nehemiah 6:5, Nehemiah 6:17, Nehemiah 6:19, Acts 9:2

Zephaniah: Jeremiah 29:29, Jeremiah 21:1, Jeremiah 21:2, Jeremiah 37:3, Jeremiah 52:24, 2 Kings 25:18-21

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 34:8 - Maaseiah 2 Chronicles 35:8 - rulers Jeremiah 1:19 - And they Jeremiah 18:18 - for the Jeremiah 29:1 - of the letter Amos 7:17 - Thy wife Acts 4:17 - let

Cross-References

Genesis 12:18
Pharaoh called Abram and said to him, "You have done a very bad thing to me! Why didn't you tell me Sarai was your wife?
Genesis 29:35
Then Leah gave birth to another son. She named this son Judah. Leah named him this because she said, "Now I will praise the Lord ." Then Leah stopped having children.
Judges 1:7
Then the ruler of Bezek said, "I cut off the thumbs and big toes of 70 kings. And they had to eat pieces of food that fell from my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them." The men of Judah took the ruler of Bezek to Jerusalem, and he died there.
Proverbs 11:31
If good people are rewarded here on earth, then surely those who do evil will also get what they deserve.
Matthew 7:2
If you judge others, you will be judged the same way you judge them. God will treat you the same way you treat others.
Matthew 7:12
"Do for others what you would want them to do for you. This is the meaning of the Law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets.
John 21:17
A third time Jesus said, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was sad because Jesus asked him three times, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!" Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep.
1 Corinthians 3:13
But the work that each person does will be clearly seen, because the Day will make it plain. That Day will appear with fire, and the fire will test everyone's work.
Revelation 3:19
"I correct and punish the people I love. So show that nothing is more important to you than living right. Change your hearts and lives.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying,.... :-;

because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that [are] at Jerusalem; not in the name of the captives, whom he consulted not; nor with Ezekiel the prophet of the Lord, who was of the captivity; but in his own name, taking upon him to direct and order what should be done in Jerusalem. These letters were sent, very probably, by the hands of the king's messengers, when they returned, whose names are mentioned,

Jeremiah 29:3; some of them were sent to the people, to set them against the prophet of the Lord, Jeremiah, that they might not give any heed and credit to him; and others to the priests, as follows:

and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest; not the high, priest, but his sagan or deputy; the second priest, as he is called, Jeremiah 52:24; for Seraiah was high priest, unless he was now become high priest in his room. This Maaseiah was either his immediate parent, or else the head of that course to which Zephaniah belonged, as a common priest, which was the twenty fourth in order, 1 Chronicles 24:18;

saying: as follows:

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A narrative showing the effects of Jeremiah’s letter. Shemaiah the leader of the false prophets wrote to Zephaniah, urging him to restrain the prophet’s zeal with the prison and the stocks.

Jeremiah 29:24

To Shemaiah - Rather, concerning.

The Nehelamite - Not as in the margin; but one belonging to the village of Nehlam (unknown).

Jeremiah 29:26

Officers - Deputy high priests who had the oversight of the temple.

Mad - See 2 Kings 9:11 note. Many of the symbolic actions of the prophets, such as that of Jeremiah going about with a yoke on his neck, would be mocked at by the irreverent as passing the line between prophecy and madness.

Prisons - Rather, the stocks Jeremiah 20:2.

The stocks - Rather, collar.

Jeremiah 29:28

This captivity is long - Rather, It is long. God’s anger, their punishment, the exile, the time necessary for their repentance - all is long to men who will never live to see their country again.


 
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