1. Now these are the Devarim of the sefer that Yirmeyah HaNavi sent from Yerushalayim unto the surviving Zekenim of the Golus and to the Kohanim, and to the Nevi'im, and to kol HaAm whom Nevuchadretzar had carried away captive from Yerushalayim to Bavel.
2. This was after Yechanyah HaMelech, and the Gevirah (Queen Mother), and the sarisim, the sarim of Yehudah and Yerushalayim, and the carpenters, and the artisans had departed from Yerushalayim;
3. The sefer was sent by the yad of Elasah Ben Shaphan, and Gemaryah Ben Chilkiyah, whom Tzidkiyah Melech Yehudah sent unto Bavel to Nevuchadretzar Melech Bavel-and it said,
4. Thus saith Hashem Tzva'os Elohei Yisroel, unto all that are carried away into the Golus, whom I have caused to be carried away from Yerushalayim unto Bavel;
5. Build ye batim (houses), and dwell in them; and plant gannot (gardens), and eat the p'ri (fruit) of them;
6. Take ye nashim, and father banim and banot; and take nashim for your banim, and give your banot to anashim, that they may bear banim and banot; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.
7. And seek the shalom of the city where I have caused you to be carried away into the Golus, and daven unto Hashem for it; for in the shalom thereof shall ye have shalom.
8. For thus saith Hashem Tzva'os Elohei Yisroel: Let not your nevi'im and your kesamim that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither pay heed to your chalomot which ye cause to be dreamed.
9. For they prophesy b'sheker (falsely) unto you in My Name; I have not sent them, saith Hashem.
10. For thus saith Hashem, That after shiv'im shanah (seventy years) are accomplished at Bavel I will visit you, and perform My Davar Hatov toward you, in causing you to return to this makom.
11. For I know the machshavot (thoughts, plans) that I think toward you, saith Hashem, machshavot shalom, and not of ra'ah, to give you an acharit (future) and a tikvah (hope).
12. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and v'hitpalaltem (and you [plural] will pray) unto Me, and I will pay heed unto you [plural].