Now theseare the wordsof the letterwhichJeremiahthe prophetsentfrom Jerusalemto the restof the eldersof the exile,the priests,the prophetsand allthe peoplewhomNebuchadnezzarhad takeninto exilefrom Jerusalemto Babylon.
Jehoiachinthe kingof Judahwentout to the kingof Babylon,he and his motherand his servantsand his captainsand his officials.So the kingof Babylontookhim captive in the eighthyearof his reign.
At the turnof the yearKingNebuchadnezzarsentand broughthim to Babylonwith the valuablearticlesof the houseof the LORD,and he madehis kinsmanZedekiahkingoverJudahand Jerusalem.
Then Mordecairecordedtheseevents,and he sentlettersto allthe Jewswhowere in allthe provincesof KingAhasuerus,both nearand far,
So Hananiahthe prophetdiedin the sameyearin the seventhmonth.
I am also going to bringbackto thisplaceJeconiahthe sonof Jehoiakim,kingof Judah,and allthe exilesof Judahwho wentto Babylon,'declaresthe LORD,'for I will breakthe yokeof the kingof Babylon.'"
"You, therefore, hearthe wordof the LORD,allyou exiles,whomI have sentawayfrom Jerusalemto Babylon.
"For thussaysthe LORDof hosts,the Godof Israel,Do not let your prophetswhoare in your midstand your divinersdeceiveyou, and do not listento the dreamswhichthey dream.
Then Jeremiahsaidto Seraiah,"As soon as you cometo Babylon,then seethat you readallthesewordsaloud,
and they sent this letterby them, "The apostlesand the brethrenwho are elders,to the brethrenin Antiochand Syriaand Ciliciawhoare from the Gentiles,greetings.
For thoughI causedyou sorrowby my letter,I do not regretit; thoughI did regretit-- [for] I seethat that lettercaused you sorrow,thoughonlyfor a while--
Seewith what largelettersI am writingto you with my ownhand.
But I urgeyou, brethren,bearwith thiswordof exhortation,for I have writtento you briefly.
