“You say, ‘The Lord has raised up prophets of good news for us here in Babylon.’

The Lord spoke to Jeremiah.

Moreover, the Lord says to the people of Zion, “Your injuries are incurable; your wounds are severe.

Indeed, there is hope for your posterity. Your children will return to their own territory. I, the Lord, affirm it!

So now, Jeremiah said, “The Lord told me,

Once again there will be sounds of joy and gladness and the glad celebrations of brides and grooms. Once again people will bring their thank offerings to the temple of the Lord and will say, “Give thanks to the Lord who rules over all. For the Lord is good and his unfailing love lasts forever.” For I, the Lord, affirm that I will restore the land to what it was in days of old.’

The Lord gave the prophet Jeremiah a message for them. He told him to tell them,

At Tahpanhes the Lord spoke to Jeremiah.

“The Lord God of Israel has a message for you, Baruch.

Why will your soldiers be defeated? They will not stand because I, the Lord, will thrust them down.

Moab’s might will be crushed. Its power will be broken. I, the Lord, affirm it!

I will put an end in Moab to those who make offerings at her places of worship. I will put an end to those who sacrifice to other gods. I, the Lord, affirm it!

Moab will be destroyed and no longer be a nation, because she has vaunted herself against the Lord.

Terror, pits, and traps are in store for the people who live in Moab. I, the Lord, affirm it!

Babylonia will be plundered. Those who plunder it will take all they want,” says the Lord.

He did what displeased the Lord just as Jehoiakim had done.

“Stand in the gate of the Lord’s temple and proclaim this message: ‘Listen, all you people of Judah who have passed through these gates to worship the Lord. Hear what the Lord has to say.

The Lord said, “Go stand in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple. Speak out to all the people who are coming from the towns of Judah to worship in the Lord’s temple. Tell them everything I command you to tell them. Do not leave out a single word!

King Hezekiah and all the people of Judah did not put him to death, did they? Did not Hezekiah show reverence for the Lord and seek the Lord’s favor? Did not the Lord forgo destroying them as he threatened he would? But we are on the verge of bringing great disaster on ourselves.”

I also told them, “If they are really prophets and the Lord is speaking to them, let them pray earnestly to the Lord who rules over all. Let them plead with him not to let the valuable articles that are still left in the Lord’s temple, in the royal palace, and in Jerusalem be taken away to Babylon.