4 "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 ver. 28Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and [Ezra 6:10;1 Tim. 2:1,2]pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
10 "For thus says the Lord: See ch. 25:12When seventy years are completed for Babylon, ch. 27:22I will visit you, ch. 33:14;[ch. 24:6]and I will fulfill to you my promise ch. 33:14;[ch. 24:6]and bring you back to this place. 11 [Isa. 55:8,9] For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare29:11 Or peace and not for evil, ch. 31:17to give you a future and a hope.