3. Delivered in Babylon by Elasah, son of Shaphan, and by Gemariah, son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah, king of Judah, sent to the king of Babylon, the letter read:
4. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5. Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their fruits.
6. Take wives and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters. Increase there; do not decrease.
7. Seek the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you; pray for it to the Lord, for upon its welfare your own depends.
8. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners who are among you; do not listen to those among you who dream dreams,
9. for they prophesy lies to you in my name; I did not send them—oracle of the Lord.
10. For thus says the Lord: Only after seventy years have elapsed for Babylon will I deal with you and fulfill for you my promise to bring you back to this place.
11. For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.
12. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you.
13. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart,
14. I will let you find me—oracle of the Lord—and I will change your lot; I will gather you together from all the nations and all the places to which I have banished you—oracle of the Lord—and bring you back to the place from which I have exiled you.