4
"Thussays the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exileswhom I have 1sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon,
5
'2Buildhouses and live in them; and plantgardens and eat their produce.
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'Take3wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and takewives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bearsons and daughters; and multiplythere and do not decrease.
7
'4Seek the welfare of the citywhere* I have sent you into exile, and 5pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will havewelfare.'
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"For thussays the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Do not let your 6prophetswho are in your midst and your diviners7deceive you, and do not listen to 8the dreamswhich they dream.
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'For they 9prophesyfalsely to you in My name; 10I have not sent them,' declares the LORD.
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"For thussays the LORD, 'When11seventyyears have beencompleted for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My 12goodword to you, to bring you back to thisplace.
11
'For I know the 13plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for 14welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a 15hope.
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'Then you will 16call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will 17listen to you.
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'You will 18seek Me and find Me when you 19search for Me with all your heart.
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'I will be 20found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will 21restore your fortunes and will 22gather you from all the nations and from all the placeswhere* I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will 23bring you back to the place from where* I sent you into exile.'