Jeremiah
Chapter 45
Baruch is the man who writes down Jeremiah's messages as Jeremiah speaks them. In this short chapter, Baruch is worn out and sad, and God answers him through Jeremiah. God says he is about to tear down the whole land, so this is not the time for Baruch to hope for a big life. But God promises that Baruch will escape with his life wherever he goes.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
The word that Jeremiah the prophet spake unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,
1This is the message Jeremiah the prophet gave to Baruch son of Neriah. Baruch had written these words on a scroll while Jeremiah spoke them out loud. It was the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah.
2Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto thee, O Baruch:
2This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch:
3Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.
3You said, "How terrible for me! The LORD has piled more sorrow on top of my pain. I am worn out from groaning, and I cannot find any rest."
"Woe is me" is an old way of crying out, "How awful this is for me!"
4Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.
4Jeremiah was to tell him this: "The LORD says: I am going to tear down what I built and pull up what I planted. I will do this across the whole land.
5And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.
5Are you looking for great things for yourself? Stop looking for them. I am bringing disaster on every living person, says the LORD. But wherever you go, I will let you keep your life."
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