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 spake unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,

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

Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, unto thee, 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.”’”

Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the Lord hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my 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.”

Thus shalt thou say unto him, The Lord saith thus; Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this 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 seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.