3. The letter was carried by Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah had sent to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. The letter said:
4. This is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, to all the exiles I’ve taken from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5. “Build houses and make yourselves at home.“Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country.
6. “Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you’ll thrive in that country and not waste away.
7. “Make yourselves at home there and work for the country’s welfare.“Pray for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you.”
12. “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.