The Letter to the Exiles

Jeremiah 36

Jeremiah sends a letter to the priests, elders, and people carried captive to Babylon, urging them to build houses, plant gardens, marry, and seek the peace of the city where they live, since the Lord will visit and restore them only after seventy years, and warning them not to be deceived by prophets and diviners among them. The letter also names specific false prophets, Ahab, Zedekiah, and Shemaiah, whom the Lord will punish for prophesying falsely in his name.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW these are the words of the letter which Jeremias sent from Jerusalem to the elders of the captivity and to the priests and to the false prophets.—

BrentonAnd these are the words of the book which Jeremias sent from Jerusalem to the elders of the captivity, and to the priests, and to the false prophets, even an epistle to Babylon for the captivity, and to all the people;

GreekΚαὶ οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι τῆς βίβλου οὓς ἀπέστειλεν Ἱερεμίας ἐξ Ἱερουσαλὴμ πρὸς τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους τῆς ἀποικίας, καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἱερεῖς, καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ψευδοπροφήτας, ἐπιστολὴν εἰς Βαβυλῶνα τῇ ἀποικίᾳ, καὶ πρὸς ἅπαντα τὸν λαὸν,

KJVNow these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;

JPSNow these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders of the captivity, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon,

ThomsonAfter the departure of king Jechonias and of the queen and the chamberlains and of every nobleman and prisoner of war and artificer from Jerusalem [I sent] to Babylon

Brenton(after the departure of Jechonias the king and the queen, and the eunuchs, and every freeman, and bondman, and artificer, out of Jerusalem;)

Greekὕστερον ἐξελθόντος Ἰεχονίου τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ τῆς βασιλίσσης, καὶ τῶν εὐνούχων, καὶ παντὸς ἐλευθέρου, καὶ δεσμώτου, καὶ τεχνίτου ἐξ Ἱερουσαλὴμ,

KJV(After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;)

JPSafter that Jeconiah the king, and the queen-mother, and the officers, and the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;

Thomsonby the hand of Eleason son of Saphan and of Gamarias son of Chelkias whom Sedekias king of Juda sent to the king of Babylon at Babylon, a letter for the captives addressed to all the people saying:

Brentonby the hand of Eleasan son of Saphan, and Gamarias son of Chelcias, (whom Sedekias king of Juda sent to the king of Babylon to Babylon) saying,

Greekἐν χειρὶ Ἐλεασὰν υἱοῦ Σαφὰν, καὶ Γαμαρίου υἱοῦ Χελκίου, ὃν ἀπέστειλε Σεδεκίας βασιλεὺς Ἰούδα, πρὸς βασιλέα Βαβυλῶνος εἰς Βαβυλῶνα, λέγων,

KJVBy the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,

JPSby the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying:

ThomsonThus said the Lord the God of Israel to the captivity whom I have exiled from Jerusalem:

BrentonThus said the Lord God of Israel concerning the captivity which I caused to be carried away from Jerusalem;

GreekΟὕτως εἶπε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ ἐπὶ τὴν ἀποικίαν ἣν ἀπῴκισα ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλὴμ,

KJVThus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;

JPSThus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all the captivity, whom I have caused to be carried away captive from Jerusalem unto Babylon:

ThomsonBuild houses and dwell therein; and plant orchards and eat the fruits thereof;

BrentonBuild ye houses, and inhabit them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruits thereof;

Greekοἰκοδομήσατε οἴκους, καὶ κατοικήσατε, καὶ φυτεύσατε παραδείσους, καὶ φάγετε τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτῶν,

KJVBuild ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;

JPSBuild ye houses, and dwell in them, and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;

Thomsonand take wives and beget sons and daughters; take wives also for your sons and give your daughters in marriage; and multiply and be not diminished;

Brentonand take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, and be multiplied, and be not diminished.

Greekκαὶ λάβετε γυναῖκας, καὶ τεκνοποιήσατε υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, καὶ λάβετε τοῖς υἱοῖς ὑμῶν γυναῖκας, καὶ τὰς θυγατέρας ὑμῶν δότε ἀνδράσι, καὶ πληθύνεσθε, καὶ μὴ σμικρυνθῆτε·

KJVTake ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.

JPStake ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply ye there, and be not diminished.

Thomsonand seek the peace of the country to which I have exiled you; and pray to the Lord for the people; for in their peace you will have peace.

BrentonAnd seek the peace of the land into which I have carried you captive, and ye shall pray to the Lord for the people: for in its peace ye shall have peace.

GreekΚαὶ ζητήσατε εἰς εἰρήνην τῆς γῆς, εἰς ἣν ἀπῴκισα ὑμᾶς ἐκεῖ· καὶ προσεύξεσθε περὶ αὐτῶν πρὸς Κύριον, ὅτι ἐν εἰρήνῃ αὐτῆς εἰρήνη ὑμῖν.

KJVAnd seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

JPSAnd seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray unto the LORD for it; for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

ThomsonFor thus said the Lord:

BrentonFor thus saith the Lord; Let not the false prophets that are among you persuade you, and let not your diviners persuade you, and hearken not to your dreams which ye dream.

GreekὍτι οὕτως εἶπε Κύριος, μὴ ἀναπειθέτωσαν ὑμᾶς οἱ ψευδοπροφῆται οἱ ἐν ὑμῖν, καὶ μὴ ἀναπειθέτωσαν ὑμᾶς οἱ μάντεις ὑμῶν, καὶ μὴ ἀκούετε εἰς τὰ ἐνύπνια ὑμῶν, ἃ ὑμεῖς ἐνυπνιάζεσθε,

KJVFor thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

JPSFor thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Let not your prophets that are in the midst of you, and your diviners, beguile you, neither hearken ye to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

ThomsonLet not the false prophets among you deceive you; nor let your diviners deceive you; nor hearken to your dreams which you dream. For they prophesy falsehood to you in My name, and I have not sent them.

BrentonFor they prophesy to you unrighteous words in my name; and I sent them not.

Greekὅτι ἄδικα αὐτοὶ προφητεύουσιν ὑμῖν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου, καὶ οὐκ ἀπέστειλα αὐτούς.

KJVFor they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.

JPSFor they prophesy falsely unto you in My name; I have not sent them, saith the LORD.

ThomsonFor thus said the Lord, When seventy years shall be accomplished at Babylon, I will visit you and establish My words for you by bringing back your people to this place.

BrentonFor thus said the Lord; When seventy years shall be on the point of being accomplished at Babylon, I will visit you, and will confirm my words to you, to bring back your people to this place.

GreekὍτι οὕτως εἶπε Κύριος, ὅταν μέλλῃ πληροῦσθαι Βαβυλῶνι ἑβδομήκοντα ἔτη, ἐπισκέψομαι ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἐπιστήσω τοὺς λόγους μου ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς, τοῦ ἀποστρέψαι τὸν λαὸν ὑμῶν εἰς τὸν τόπον τοῦτον.

KJVFor thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

JPSFor thus saith the LORD: After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will remember you, and perform My good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd I will devise for you a device of peace, and not evil, to bestow upon you these good things.

GreekΚαὶ λογιοῦμαι ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς λογισμὸν εἰρήνης, καὶ οὐ κακὰ, τοῦ δοῦναι ὑμῖν ταῦτα.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonthen pray to Me and I will hearken to you:

BrentonAnd do ye pray to me, and I will hearken to you: and do ye earnestly seek me, and ye shall find me;

GreekΚαὶ προσεύξασθε πρὸς μὲ, καὶ εἰσακούσομαι ὑμῶν.

KJVThen shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

JPSAnd ye shall call upon Me, and go, and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you.

ThomsonBecause you will seek Me with your whole heart, therefore I will manifest Myself to you.

Brentonfor ye shall seek me with your whole heart.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκζητήσατέ με, καὶ εὑρήσετέ με· ὅτι ζητήσετέ με ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν,

KJVAnd ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

JPSAnd ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd I will appear to you:

Greekκαὶ ἐπιφανοῦμαι ὑμῖν·

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonBecause you said, The Lord hath raised up prophets for us in Babylon,

Brentonwhereas ye said, The Lord has appointed for us prophets in Babylon:

GreekὍτι εἴπατε, κατέστησεν ἡμῖν Κύριος προφήτας ἐν Βαβυλῶνι·

KJVBecause ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon;

JPSFor ye have said: ‘The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon.’

Thomsonthus said the Lord against Achiab and against Sedekias, behold I deliver them into the hands of the king of Babylon and he will smite them before your eyes.

BrentonThus saith the Lord concerning Achiab, and concerning Sedekias; Behold, I will deliver them into the hands of the king of Babylon; and he shall smite them in your sight.

GreekΟὕτως εἶπε Κύριος ἐπὶ Ἀχιὰβ, καὶ ἐπὶ Σεδεκίαν, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ δίδωμι αὐτοὺς εἰς χεῖρας βασιλέως Βαβυλῶνος, καὶ πατάξει αὐτοὺς κατʼ ὀφθαλμοὺς ὑμῶν.

KJVThus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;

JPSThus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a lie unto you in My name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;

ThomsonAnd among all the captives of Juda at Babylon; they shall from them use an execration saying, The Lord deal with thee as He did with Sedekias, and as He did with Achiab whom the king of Babylon roasted with fire;

BrentonAnd they shall make of them a curse in all the captivity of Juda in Babylon, saying, The Lord do to thee as he did to Sedekias, and as he did to Achiab, whom the king of Babylon fried in the fire;

GreekΚαὶ λήψονται ἀπʼ αὐτῶν κατάραν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ ἀποικίᾳ Ἰούδα ἐν Βαβυλῶνι, λέγοντες, ποιήσαι σε Κύριος, ὡς Σεδεκίαν ἐποίησε, καὶ ὡς Ἀχιὰβ, οὓς ἀπετηγάνισε βασιλεὺς Βαβυλῶνος ἐν πυρὶ,

KJVAnd of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;

JPSand of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah that are in Babylon, saying: ‘The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire’;

Thomsonbecause they have committed iniquity in Israel and have committed adultery with the wives of their fellow citizens, and have delivered as prophets a word in My name, which I did not give them in charge—I myself am witness, saith the Lord.

Brentonbecause of the iniquity which they wrought in Israel, and because they committed adultery with the wives of their fellow-citizens, and spoke a word in my name, which I did not command them to speak, and I am witness, saith the Lord.

Greekδιʼ ἣν ἐποίησαν ἀνομίαν ἐν Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἐμοιχῶντο τὰς γυναῖκας τῶν πολιτῶν αὐτῶν, καὶ λόγον ἐχρημάτισαν ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου, ὃν οὐ συνέταξα αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἐγὼ μάρτυς, φησὶ Κύριος.

KJVBecause they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.

JPSbecause they have wrought vile deeds in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’wives, and have spoken words in My name falsely, which I commanded them not; but I am He that knoweth, and am witness, saith the LORD.

ThomsonAnd to Samaias the Ailamite thou shalt say,

BrentonAnd to Samæas the Ælamite thou shalt say,

GreekΚαὶ πρὸς Σαμαίαν τὸν Αἰλαμίτην ἐρεῖς,

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonI did not send thee; yet in My name he said to Sophonias son of Maasias, the priest:

BrentonI sent thee not in my name: and to Sophonias the priest the son of Maasæas say thou,

Greekοὐκ ἀπέστειλά σε τῷ ὀνόματί μου· καὶ πρὸς Σοφονίαν υἱὸν Μαασαίου τὸν ἱερέα εἰπὲ,

KJVThus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,

JPSThus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying: Because thou hast sent letters in thine own name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying:

ThomsonThe Lord hath made thee priest in the room of Jodae the priest, to be a ruler in the house of the Lord, over every man who prophesieth, and over every man who divineth, that thou mayst commit him to prison, and confine him in a dungeon.

BrentonThe Lord has made thee priest in the place of Jodae the priest, to be ruler in the house of the Lord over every prophet, and to every madman, and thou shalt put them in prison, and into the dungeon.

GreekΚύριος ἔδωκέ σε ἱερέα ἀντὶ Ἰωδαὲ τοῦ ἱερέως, γενέσθαι ἐπιστάτην ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ Κυρίου παντὶ ἀνθρώπῳ προφητεύοντι, καὶ παντὶ ἀνθρώπῳ μαινομένῳ, καὶ δώσεις αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ ἀπόκλεισμα, καὶ εἰς τὸν καταράκτην.

KJVThe LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.

JPS’The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that there should be officers in the house of the LORD for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in the stocks and in the collar.

ThomsonNow why have you reviled Jeremias of Anathoth who prophesied to you?

BrentonAnd now wherefore have ye reviled together Jeremias of Anathoth, who prophesied to you?

GreekΚαὶ νῦν διατί συνελοιδορήσατε Ἱερεμίαν τὸν ἐξ Ἀναθὼθ, τὸν προφητεύσαντα ὑμῖν;

KJV—

JPSNow therefore, why hast thou not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, who maketh himself a prophet to you,

ThomsonWas it not for this purpose that information was given that within this month he had sent to you to Babylon, saying, Your return is far off; build houses and dwell therein; plant orchards and eat the fruits thereof.

BrentonDid he not send for this purpose? for in the course of this month he sent to you to Babylon, saying, It is far off: build ye houses, and inhabit them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

GreekΟὐ διατοῦτο ἀπέστειλεν; ὅτι διὰ τοῦ μηνὸς τούτου ἀπέστειλε πρὸς ὑμᾶς εἰς Βαβυλῶνα, λέγων, μακράν ἐστιν, οἰκοδομήσατε οἰκίας, καὶ κατοικήσατε, καὶ φυτεύσατε κήπους, καὶ φάγεσθε τὸν καρπὸν αὐτῶν.

KJVFor therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying, This captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

JPSforasmuch as he hath sent unto us in Babylon, saying: The captivity is long; build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them?’

ThomsonWhen Sophonias read this letter in the hearing of Jeremias,

BrentonAnd Sophonias read the book in the ears of Jeremias.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέγνω Σοφονίας τὸ βιβλίον εἰς τὰ ὦτα Ἱερεμίου.

KJVAnd Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.

JPSAnd Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.

Thomsona word of the Lord came to Jeremias saying,

BrentonThen the word of the Lord came to Jeremias, saying,

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο λόγος Κυρίου πρὸς Ἱερεμίαν, λέγων,

KJVThen came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,

JPSThen came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying:

ThomsonSend to the captives, and say, Thus said the Lord against Samaias the Ailamite: Because Samaias hath prophesied to you, and I did not send him, and he hath made you trust in falsehoods,

BrentonSend to the captivity, saying, Thus saith the Lord concerning Samæas the Ælamite, Since Samæas has prophesied to you, and I sent him not, and he has made you to trust in iniquity,

Greekἀπόστειλον πρὸς τὴν ἀποικίαν, λέγων, οὕτως εἶπε Κύριος ἐπὶ Σαμαίαν τὸν Αἰλαμίτην, ἐπειδὴ ἐπροφήτευσεν ὑμῖν Σαμαίας, καὶ ἐγὼ οὐκ ἀπέστειλα αὐτὸν, καὶ πεποιθέναι ἐποίησεν ὑμᾶς ἐπʼ ἀδίκοις,

KJVSend to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:

JPSSend to all them of the captivity, saying: Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he hath caused you to trust in a lie;

Thomsontherefore thus said the Lord, Behold I will punish Samaias and his family, and there shall not be a man of them among you to see the good things which I will do for you. They shall not see them.

Brentontherefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will visit Samæas, and his family: and there shall not be a man of them in the midst of you to see the good which I will do to you: they shall not see it.

Greekδιατοῦτο οὕτως εἶπε Κύριος, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐπισκέψομαι ἐπὶ Σαμαίαν, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸ γένος αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται αὐτῶν ἄνθρωπος ἐν μέσῳ ὑμῶν, τοῦ ἰδεῖν τὰ ἀγαθὰ, ἃ ἐγὼ ποιήσω ὑμῖν, οὐκ ὄψονται.

KJVTherefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.

JPStherefore thus saith the LORD: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed; he shall not have a man to dwell among this people, neither shall he behold the good that I will do unto My people, saith the LORD; because he hath spoken perversion against the LORD.