Bible fact · Direct biblical statement
Jeremiah wrote a letter to the exiles
Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles in Babylon telling them to build houses, plant gardens and seek the peace of the city. Jeremiah 29:1–7
Discover why
"Build houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens... Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it." Jeremiah 29:1Jeremiah 29:4–7
The same letter contains the promise often quoted: "I know the thoughts that I think toward you... to give you hope and a future", spoken to the exiles after seventy years. Jeremiah 29:10–11
Read the passage
Jeremiah 29:1–7 WEB
1Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the residue of the elders of the captivity, and to the priests, to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon, 2(after Jeconiah the king, the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem), 3by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon). It said: 4The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives whom I have caused to be carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5“Build houses and dwell in them. Plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6Take wives and father sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there, and don’t be diminished. 7Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”