1. This is a copy of the letter that Jeremiah sent to those who would be taken as prisoners to Babylon by the Babylonian king. Jeremiah wrote to give them the instructions that God imposed upon him.1Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon’s king, will bring you as prisoners to Babylon because of the sins that you committed in the presence of God.
2. When you enter Babylon, you will be there a long time, as long as seven generations. Afterward, I will bring you out from there peacefully.
3. In Babylon you will see gods of silver, gold, and wood paraded on the Babylonians’ shoulders. These gods inspire awe among the people.
4. Be careful that you don’t become like the Gentiles, letting fear of these gods grip you,
5. especially when you see large crowds of people walking in front of and behind them, worshipping them. But say to yourself, Lord, we want to worship you.
6. For God’s angel is with you, examining your souls.
7. A carpenter smooths out the tongues of the idols. They are covered in gold and silver, but they are fake and unable to speak.
8. The Gentiles take gold and place crowns on their gods’ heads, like a young girl playing dress up.
9. Sometimes the priests secretly take away the gold and silver from their gods to spend on themselves and give to prostitutes in the brothels.
10. The Gentiles dress these gods of silver, gold, and wood with clothing just like people. But these idols can’t be rescued from rust and rotting.
11. Even though the idols are dressed in rich purple clothing, the Gentiles have to wipe off the idols’ faces because of the dust in the temple that thickly covers them.