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Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/29.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/29.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/29.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/29.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/29.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/29.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Seek the prosperity of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD in its behalf; for in its prosperity will be your prosperity.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/29.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/29.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘And seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/29.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Seek the peace of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to Yahweh on its behalf; for in its peace you will have peace.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/29.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Seek peace <i>and</i> well-being for the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its peace (well-being) you will have peace.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/29.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/29.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Seek the welfare of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it has prosperity, you will prosper.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/29.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray unto Jehovah for it; for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/29.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Pray for peace in Babylonia and work hard to make it prosperous. The more successful that nation is, the better off you will be. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/29.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/29.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Work for the good of the city where I've taken you as captives, and pray to the LORD for that city. When it prospers, you will also prosper.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/29.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Work for the good of the cities where I have made you go as prisoners. Pray to me on their behalf, because if they are prosperous, you will be prosperous too. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/29.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Seek the welfare of the city to which I've exiled you and pray to the LORD for it, for your welfare depends on its welfare.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/29.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/29.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />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.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/29.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you shall have peace.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/29.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray to the LORD for it: for in the peace of it ye shall have peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/29.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to Yahweh for it; for in its peace you will have peace.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/29.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and seek the peace of the city to where I have removed you, and pray to YHWH for it, for in its peace you have peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/29.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And seek the peace of the city whither I have removed you, and pray for it unto Jehovah, for in its peace ye have peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/29.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And seek ye the peace of the city where I caused you to be carried away captive there, and pray for it to Jehovah; for in her peace, peace shall be to you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/29.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And seek the peace of the city, to which I have caused you to be carried away captives; and pray to the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall be your peace. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/29.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And seek the peace of the city, to which I have caused you to be taken away, and pray to the Lord on its behalf. For your peace will be in its peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/29.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Seek the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you; pray for it to the LORD, for upon its welfare your own depends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/29.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/29.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray to the LORD for it; for in the peace thereof shall you have peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/29.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And seek the peace of the city of your captivity there, and pray for it before LORD JEHOVAH, that in its peace, you shall have peace”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/29.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/29.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And 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 <i>have</i> peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/29-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=8531" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/29.htm">Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">6</span>Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: wə·ḏir·šū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship.">Seek</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7965.htm" title="7965: šə·lō·wm (N-msc) -- Or shalom; from shalam; safe, i.e. well, happy, friendly; also welfare, i.e. Health, prosperity, peace.">the prosperity</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">of the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">to which</a> <a href="/hebrew/1540.htm" title="1540: hiḡ·lê·ṯî (V-Hifil-Perf-1cs) -- To uncover, remove. A primitive root; to denude; by implication, to exile; figuratively, to reveal.">I have sent you as exiles.</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·ḵem (DirObjM:: 2mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām·māh (Adv:: 3fs) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6419.htm" title="6419: wə·hiṯ·pal·lū (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-Imp-mp) -- To intervene, interpose. A primitive root; to judge; by extension, to intercede, pray.">Pray</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1157.htm" title="1157: ḇa·‘ă·ḏāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- From ad with prepositional prefix; in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc.">on its behalf,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/7965.htm" title="7965: ḇiš·lō·w·māh (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3fs) -- Or shalom; from shalam; safe, i.e. well, happy, friendly; also welfare, i.e. Health, prosperity, peace.">if it prospers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">you too</a> <a href="/hebrew/7965.htm" title="7965: šā·lō·wm (N-ms) -- Or shalom; from shalam; safe, i.e. well, happy, friendly; also welfare, i.e. Health, prosperity, peace.">will prosper.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-1.htm">1 Timothy 2:1-2</a></span><br />First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— / for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-7</a></span><br />Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-13.htm">1 Peter 2:13-17</a></span><br />Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. / For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a></span><br />But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a></span><br />But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/3-1.htm">Titus 3:1-2</a></span><br />Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, / to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-11.htm">Proverbs 11:11</a></span><br />By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-21.htm">Proverbs 24:21</a></span><br />My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/6-10.htm">Ezra 6:10</a></span><br />Then they will be able to offer sacrifices of a sweet aroma to the God of heaven and to pray for the lives of the king and his sons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-27.htm">Daniel 4:27</a></span><br />Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Nehemiah 1:4-11</a></span><br />When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. / Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments, / let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/122-6.htm">Psalm 122:6-9</a></span><br />Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper. / May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.” / For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:15</a></span><br />Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-10.htm">Galatians 6:10</a></span><br />Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-14.htm">Hebrews 12:14</a></span><br />Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray to the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall you have peace.</p><p class="hdg">seek.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/4-27.htm">Daniel 4:27</a></b></br> Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/6-4.htm">Daniel 6:4,5</a></b></br> Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he <i>was</i> faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1,5</a></b></br> Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God… </p><p class="hdg">pray.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/6-10.htm">Ezra 6:10</a></b></br> That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/7-23.htm">Ezra 7:23</a></b></br> Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/4-19.htm">Daniel 4:19</a></b></br> Then Daniel, whose name <i>was</i> Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream <i>be</i> to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/18-20.htm">Behalf</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-4.htm">Captive</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-4.htm">Captives</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-4.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-4.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/jeremiah/27-19.htm">City</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-4.htm">Exile</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-6.htm">Find</a> <a href="/jeremiah/28-9.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-4.htm">Prisoners</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-21.htm">Prosperity</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-8.htm">Prospers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-4.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-25.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/jeremiah/26-15.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-5.htm">Welfare</a> <a href="/jeremiah/24-9.htm">Whither</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-3.htm">Working</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/37-3.htm">Behalf</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-14.htm">Captive</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-22.htm">Captives</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-14.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-14.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-16.htm">City</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-16.htm">Exile</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Find</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-11.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-16.htm">Prisoners</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-11.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-42.htm">Prosperity</a> <a href="/3_john/1-2.htm">Prospers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-18.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-18.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-11.htm">Welfare</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-14.htm">Whither</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-25.htm">Working</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 29</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/29-1.htm">Jeremiah sends a letter to the captives in Babylon to be quiet there,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/29-8.htm">and not to believe the dreams of their prophets;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">and that they shall return with grace after seventy years.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/29-15.htm">He foretells the destruction of the rest for their disobedience.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/29-20.htm">He shows the fearful end of Ahab and Zedekiah, two false prophets.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/29-24.htm">Shemaiah writes a letter against Jeremiah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/29-30.htm">Jeremiah foretells his doom.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/29.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/29.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles.</b><br>This phrase is a directive given by God through the prophet Jeremiah to the Israelites who were exiled in Babylon. The historical context is the Babylonian Exile, which began in 586 BC when Jerusalem was conquered, and many Israelites were taken captive. The command to seek the prosperity of Babylon is significant because it contrasts with the natural inclination to resist or resent their captors. Instead, God instructs them to contribute positively to the society in which they find themselves. This reflects a broader biblical principle of being a blessing to others, even in adverse circumstances, as seen in <a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2-3</a>, where God promises to make Abraham a blessing to all nations. Theologically, this directive underscores God's sovereignty and purpose, even in exile, suggesting that their presence in Babylon is part of His divine plan.<p><b>Pray to the LORD on its behalf,</b><br>Prayer is a central theme in the Bible, and here, the Israelites are called to intercede for Babylon. This is a radical command, as Babylon was not only their place of exile but also a symbol of oppression and idolatry. The call to pray for their captors echoes Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a>, where He instructs His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. This act of prayer signifies a heart aligned with God's will, demonstrating love and forgiveness. It also acknowledges God's ultimate authority over nations and rulers, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/21.htm">Proverbs 21:1</a>, which states that the king's heart is in the hand of the LORD.<p><b>for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”</b><br>This phrase highlights the interconnectedness of the Israelites' well-being with that of Babylon. The prosperity of the city is directly linked to the welfare of the exiles, suggesting a mutual benefit. This principle of seeking the common good is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to live peaceably with all (<a href="/romans/12-18.htm">Romans 12:18</a>) and to seek the welfare of others (<a href="/philippians/2-4.htm">Philippians 2:4</a>). Theologically, this reflects the idea that God's people are to be agents of peace and prosperity wherever they are placed. It also points to the broader biblical narrative of restoration and hope, as God promises to bring the exiles back to their land (<a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10-14</a>), foreshadowing the ultimate restoration through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A prophet called by God to deliver messages to the people of Judah, including warnings of impending exile and messages of hope and restoration.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a></b><br>The city and empire where the Israelites were exiled. It was a place of foreign culture and pagan practices, yet God instructed His people to seek its welfare.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/exiles.htm">Exiles</a></b><br>The people of Judah who were taken captive and relocated to Babylon. They were living in a foreign land under foreign rule, facing challenges to their faith and identity.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who remains sovereign and faithful, even when His people are in exile.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_city.htm">The City</a></b><br>Refers to Babylon, where the exiles were to seek its prosperity and pray for it, despite it being a place of captivity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/seek_the_welfare_of_your_community.htm">Seek the Welfare of Your Community</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to actively contribute to the well-being of the places where we live, even if they are not our ultimate home.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_as_a_tool_for_transformation.htm">Prayer as a Tool for Transformation</a></b><br>Prayer is a powerful means by which we can influence the spiritual and physical prosperity of our communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prosperity_linked_to_obedience.htm">Prosperity Linked to Obedience</a></b><br>Our own well-being is often connected to our obedience to God's commands, including seeking the good of others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_faithfully_in_exile.htm">Living Faithfully in Exile</a></b><br>Like the exiles in Babylon, Christians are called to live faithfully in a world that is not their ultimate home, influencing it for good.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_difficult_circumstances.htm">God's Sovereignty in Difficult Circumstances</a></b><br>Trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He has a purpose even in challenging situations, such as living in a foreign land.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_29.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 29</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_christians_be_patriotic.htm">Can Christians be patriotic?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/pray_for_leaders'_well-being.htm">Should we pray for the well-being of our leaders?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_goal_of_project_2025.htm">What is the goal of Project 2025?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where's_proof_exiles_thrived_and_returned.htm">Jeremiah 24:5 – If God favored those taken into exile, where is the clear evidence that they flourished in Babylon and returned as promised? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/29.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">And seek the peace of the city . . .</span>--This was, we may believe, the hardest command of all. To refrain from all curses and imprecations, even from such as came from the lips of those who hung their harps on the willows by the waters of Babylon (Psalms 137), to pray for the peace and prosperity of the city where they were eating the bread of captivity--this surely required an almost superhuman patience. Yet this was the prophet's counsel. It seems almost to follow--unless we apply Augustine's rule, <span class= "ital">Distingue tempora, </span>and refer the psalm to a time prior <span class= "ital">to </span>Jeremiah's letter, or nearer the day of vengeance--that those imprecations, natural as they seem, belonged to a lower stage of spiritual progress than that represented by the prophet. He was, to those impatient exiles, as our Lord was to the impatient disciples who sought to call down fire on the village of the Samaritans (<a href="/context/luke/9-54.htm" title="And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, will you that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?">Luke 9:54-56</a>). So, we may remember, Christians living under Nero were told to pray for the Emperor (<a href="/1_timothy/2-2.htm" title="For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.">1Timothy 2:2</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/29.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Seek the peace of the city</span>, etc. Interest yourselves in the "<span class="accented">peace"</span> or welfare of the city, whether Babylon or any other place where ye may be in exile, and pray for its welfare, for your own well-being is inseparable from it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/29-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Seek</span><br /><span class="heb">וְדִרְשׁ֞וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḏir·šū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1875.htm">Strong's 1875: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the prosperity</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁל֣וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(šə·lō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7965.htm">Strong's 7965: </a> </span><span class="str2">Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the city</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעִ֗יר</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to which</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֨ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have sent you as exiles.</span><br /><span class="heb">הִגְלֵ֤יתִי</span> <span class="translit">(hiḡ·lê·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1540.htm">Strong's 1540: </a> </span><span class="str2">To denude, to exile, to reveal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Pray</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hiṯ·pal·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6419.htm">Strong's 6419: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, to intercede, pray</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on its behalf,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַעֲדָ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇa·‘ă·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1157.htm">Strong's 1157: </a> </span><span class="str2">In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if it prospers,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִשְׁלוֹמָ֔הּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇiš·lō·w·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7965.htm">Strong's 7965: </a> </span><span class="str2">Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you too will prosper.’</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁלֽוֹם׃</span> <span class="translit">(šā·lō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7965.htm">Strong's 7965: </a> </span><span class="str2">Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/29-7.htm">Jeremiah 29:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/29-7.htm">Jeremiah 29:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/29-7.htm">Jeremiah 29:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/29-7.htm">Jeremiah 29:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/29-7.htm">Jeremiah 29:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/29-7.htm">Jeremiah 29:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/29-7.htm">Jeremiah 29:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/29-7.htm">Jeremiah 29:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/29-7.htm">Jeremiah 29:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/29-7.htm">Jeremiah 29:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/29-7.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 29:7 Seek the peace of the city where (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/29-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 29:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 29:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/29-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 29:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 29:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>