29:4 “The Lord God of Israel who rules over all ¹  says to all those he sent ²  into exile to Babylon from Jerusalem, ³  29:5 ‘Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what they produce. 29:6 Marry and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and allow your daughters get married so that they too can have sons and daughters. Grow in number; do not dwindle away. 29:7 Work to see that the city where I sent you as exiles enjoys peace and prosperity. Pray to the Lord for it. For as it prospers you will prosper.’

29:8 “For the Lord God of Israel who rules over all ⁴  says, ‘Do not let the prophets or those among you who claim to be able to predict the future by divination ⁵  deceive you. And do not pay any attention to the dreams that you are encouraging them to dream. 29:9 They are prophesying lies to you and claiming my authority to do so. ⁶  But I did not send them. I, the Lord, affirm it!’ ⁷ 

29:10 “For the Lord says, ‘Only when the seventy years of Babylonian rule ⁸  are over will I again take up consideration for you. ⁹  Then I will fulfill my gracious promise to you and restore ¹⁰  you to your homeland. ¹¹  29:11 For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ¹²  ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you ¹³  a future filled with hope. ¹⁴  29:12 When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, ¹⁵  I will hear your prayers. ¹⁶  29:13 When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, ¹⁷  29:14 I will make myself available to you,’ ¹⁸  says the Lord. ¹⁹  ‘Then I will reverse your plight ²⁰  and will regather you from all the nations and all the places where I have exiled you,’ says the Lord. ²¹  ‘I will bring you back to the place from which I exiled you.’