58. This is what the Lord All-Powerful says:“Babylon’s thick wall will be completely pulled downand her high gates burned.The people will work hard, but it won’t help;their work will only become fuel for the flames!”
59. This is the message that Jeremiah the prophet gave to the officer Seraiah son of Neriah, who was the son of Mahseiah. Seraiah went to Babylon with Zedekiah king of Judah in the fourth year Zedekiah was king of Judah. His duty was to arrange the king’s food and housing on the trip.
60. Jeremiah had written on a scroll all the terrible things that would happen to Babylon, all these words about Babylon.
61. Jeremiah said to Seraiah, “As soon as you come to Babylon, be sure to read this message so all the people can hear you.
62. Then say, ‘Lord, you have said that you will destroy this place so that no people or animals will live in it. It will be an empty ruin forever.’