1 T his is the word which Jeremiah the man of God said to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written down in a book what Jeremiah told him. This was in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah.

The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the dictation of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,

2 “ This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, O Baruch:

Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, unto you, O Baruch:

3 ‘ You said, “O, it is bad for me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain. I am tired from crying inside myself, and have found no rest.”’”

You said, Woe is me now! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am weary with my groaning and sighing and I find no rest.

4 “ So you are to tell him, ‘The Lord says, “I am breaking down what I have built. And I am pulling up by the roots what I have planted, that is, the whole land.”

Say this to him: The Lord speaks thus: Behold, what I have built I will break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up—and this means the whole land.

5 A re you looking for great things for yourself? Do not look for them. For I am bringing trouble to all flesh,’ says the Lord. ‘But I will give you life in all the places you go.’”

And should you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not; for behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, says the Lord, but your life I will give to you as a prize of war wherever you go.