Jeremías 29:18-28

18 "Los perseguiré con la espada, con el hambre y con la pestilencia, y los haré motivo de espanto para todos los reinos de la tierra, para que sean maldición, horror, burla y oprobio entre todas las naciones adonde los he arrojado,

19 porque no han escuchado mis palabras"declara el SEÑOR"que les envié repetidas veces por medio de mis siervos los profetas; pero no escuchasteis"declara el SEÑOR.

20 Oíd, pues, la palabra del SEÑOR, vosotros todos los desterrados, a quienes he enviado de Jerusalén a Babilonia.

21 Así dice el SEÑOR de los ejércitos, el Dios de Israel, acerca de Acab, hijo de Colaías, y acerca de Sedequías, hijo de Maasías, que os profetizan mentira en mi nombre: "He aquí, los entregaré en manos de Nabucodonosor, rey de Babilonia, y él los matará delante de vuestros ojos.

22 "Y de ellos será tomada esta maldición por todos los desterrados de Judá que están en Babilonia, diciendo: 'Que el SEÑOR te haga como a Sedequías y como a Acab, a quienes el rey de Babilonia asó al fuego.'

23 "Porque obraron neciamente en Israel, cometieron adulterio con las mujeres de sus prójimos y hablaron en mi nombre palabras falsas que no les mandé. Yo soy el que sabe y soy testigodeclara el SEÑOR."

24 Y a Semaías el nehelamita hablarás, diciendo:

25 Así dice el SEÑOR de los ejércitos, el Dios de Israel: "Por cuanto has enviado cartas en tu nombre a todo el pueblo que está en Jerusalén, y al sacerdote Sofonías, hijo de Maasías, y a todos los sacerdotes, diciendo a Sofonías:

26 'El SEÑOR te ha puesto por sacerdote en lugar del sacerdote Joiada, para estar encargado en la casa del SEÑOR de todo demente que profetice, a fin de que lo pongas en el cepo y la argolla.

27 'Pues entonces ¿por qué no has reprendido a Jeremías de Anatot que os profetiza?

28 'Porque él nos ha enviado un mensaje a Babilonia, diciendo: "El destierro será largo; edificad casas y habitadlas, plantad huertos y comed su fruto.'""

Jeremías 29:18-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 29

Thus chapter contains a letter of Jeremiah to the captives in Babylon; and gives an account of another sent from thence by Shemaiah to the people at Jerusalem; and is closed with threatening him with punishment for so doing. Jeremiah's letter concerns both the captives at Babylon, and the people left at Jerusalem, The persons to whom and by whom it was sent, and the time of writing and sending it, are mentioned in Jer 29:1-3; and though the prophet was the amanuensis, God was the author of it, as well as of their captivity, Jer 29:4; the contents of, it, respecting the captives, are advices to them to provide for their comfortable settlement in Babylon, and not think of returning quickly, by building houses, planting gardens, marrying, and giving in marriage, Jer 29:5,6; and to seek and pray for the prosperity of the place where they were; in which their own was concerned, Jer 29:7; to give no heed to their false prophets and diviners, Jer 29:8,9; and to expect a return to Jerusalem at the end of seventy years; which they might be assured of, since God had resolved upon it in his own mind, Jer 29:10,11; and especially if they called upon him, prayed to him, and sought him heartily, Jer 29:12-14; the other part of the letter respects the Jews in Jerusalem; concerning whom the captives are directed to observe, that both the king and people should suffer much by sword, famine, pestilence, and captivity, with the reason of it, Jer 29:15-19; particularly it is foretold, that Ahab and Zedekiah, two lying prophets, should be made an example of vengeance; and a proverbial curse should be taken of them, because of their villany, lewdness, and lies, Jer 29:20-23; next follows some account of Shemaiah's letter from Babylon, to the people and priests at Jerusalem, stirring them up against Jeremiah the prophet; which came to be known, by the priests reading it to him, Jer 29:24-29; upon which Shemaiah is threatened with punishment, and his seed after him, Jer 29:30-32.