12. I took both copies of the deed of purchase and gave them to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah. I gave them to him in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, the witnesses who had signed the deed of purchase, and all the Judeans who were housed in the courtyard of the guardhouse.
13. In the presence of all these people I instructed Baruch,
14. ‘The Lord God of Israel who rules over all says, “Take these documents, both the sealed copy of the deed of purchase and the unsealed copy. Put them in a clay jar so that they may be preserved for a long time to come.”’
15. For the Lord God of Israel who rules over all says, “Houses, fields, and vineyards will again be bought in this land.”’
16. “After I had given the copies of the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord,
17. ‘Oh, Lord God, you did indeed make heaven and earth by your mighty power and great strength. Nothing is too hard for you!
18. You show unfailing love to thousands. But you also punish children for the sins of their parents. You are the great and powerful God who is known as the Lord who rules over all.
19. You plan great things and you do mighty deeds. You see everything people do. You reward each of them for the way they live and for the things they do.
20. You did miracles and amazing deeds in the land of Egypt which have had lasting effect. By this means you gained both in Israel and among humankind a renown that lasts to this day.
21. You used your mighty power and your great strength to perform miracles and amazing deeds and to bring great terror on the Egyptians. By this means you brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt.
22. You kept the promise that you swore on oath to their ancestors. You gave them a land flowing with milk and honey.