Jeremiah, 45

1. This is the message that the prophet Jeremiah gave to Baruch, son of Neriah, when he wrote in a book the prophecies that Jeremiah dictated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah:

1. The word that the prophet Jeremiah addressed to Baruch son of Neriah when the latter wrote these words down in a book at Jeremiah's dictation in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah,

2. Thus says the LORD, God of Israel, to you, Baruch,

2. 'This is what Yahweh God of Israel says about you, Baruch!

3. because you said, "Alas! the LORD adds grief to my pain; I am weary from groaning, and can find no rest":

3. "You have been thinking: what disaster for me, and Yahweh has added further grief to my troubles! I am worn out with groaning, and find no relief!"

4. say this to him, says the LORD: What I have built, I am tearing down; what I have planted, I am uprooting: even the whole land.

4. Say to him as follows, "Yahweh says this: Now I am knocking down what I have built, am uprooting what I have planted, over the whole country!

5. And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not! I am bringing evil on all mankind, says the LORD, but your life I will leave you as booty, wherever you may go.

5. And you ask for special treatment! Do not ask, for I am now going to bring disaster on all humanity, Yahweh declares, but you I shall allow to escape with your life, wherever you may go." '