59. This is the message that Jeremiah the prophet gave to the officer Seraiah. Seraiah was the son of Neriah, who was the son of Mahseiah. Seraiah went to Babylon with Zedekiah king of Judah. This happened in the fourth year Zedekiah was king of Judah.
60. Jeremiah had written on a scroll all the terrible things that would happen to Babylon. He had written all these words about Babylon.
61. Jeremiah said to Seraiah, “Go 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. You will destroy it so that no people or animals will live in it. It will be an empty ruin forever.’