Study Desk

I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord . "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.

They have done evil things among the people of Israel. They are guilty of adultery with their neighbors' wives. They have also spoken lies and said those lies were a message from me. I did not tell them to do that. I know what they have done; I am a witness to it," says the Lord .

I am with you and will save you," says the Lord . "I will completely destroy all those nations where I scattered you, but I will not completely destroy you. I will punish you fairly, but I will still punish you."

They will be crying as they come, but they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead those people by streams of water on an even road where they will not stumble. I am Israel's father, and Israel is my firstborn son.

"I am the Lord , the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me.

Then "Jerusalem" will be to me a name that brings joy! And people from all nations of the earth will praise it when they hear about the good things I am doing there. They will be surprised and shocked at all the good things and the peace I will bring to Jerusalem.'

Maybe the family of Judah will hear what disasters I am planning to bring on them and will stop doing wicked things. Then I would forgive them for the sins and the evil things they have done."

But Jeremiah said to Irijah, "That's not true! I am not leaving to join the Babylonians." Irijah refused to listen to Jeremiah, so he arrested Jeremiah and took him to the officers of Jerusalem.

Then King Zedekiah sent someone to get Jeremiah the prophet and bring him to the third entrance to the Temple of the Lord . The king said to Jeremiah, "I am going to ask you something. Do not hide anything from me, but tell me everything honestly."

But today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists. If you want to, come with me to Babylon, and I will take good care of you. But if you don't want to come, then don't. Look, the whole country is open to you. Go wherever you wish."

‘If you will stay in Judah, I will build you up and not tear you down. I will plant you and not pull you up, because I am sad about the disaster I brought on you.

Now you fear the king of Babylon, but don't be afraid of him. Don't be afraid of him,' says the Lord , ‘because I am with you. I will save you and rescue you from his power.

"So this is what the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, says: I am determined to bring disasters on you. I will destroy the whole family of Judah.

I am watching over them, not to take care of them, but to hurt them. The Jews who live in Egypt will die from swords or hunger until they are all destroyed.

You have said, ‘How terrible it is for me! The Lord has given me sorrow along with my pain. I am tired because of my suffering and cannot rest.'"

People of Jacob, my servants, do not be afraid, because I am with you," says the Lord . "I will completely destroy the many different nations where I scattered you. But I will not completely destroy you. I will punish you fairly, but I will not let you escape your punishment."

I will terrify Elam in front of their enemies, who want to destroy them. I will bring disaster to Elam and show them how angry I am!" says the Lord . "I will send a sword to chase Elam until I have killed them all.

I will set up my throne in Elam to show that I am king, and I will destroy its king and its officers!" says the Lord .

"Babylon, you are too proud, and I am against you," says the Lord God All-Powerful. "The time has come for you to be punished.

The Lord says, "Babylon, you are a destroying mountain, and I am against you. You have destroyed the whole land. I will put my hand out against you. I will roll you off the cliffs, and I will make you a burned-out mountain.