13 “With all the people watching, I said to Baruch,
14 ‘This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies, the God of Israel, says: Take both copies of the record of ownership. Take both the sealed copy and the copy that was not sealed. And put them in a clay jar. Do this so that they will last a long time.
15 This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies, the God of Israel, says: In the future my people will once again buy houses. They will also buy fields for grain and vineyards in the land of Israel.’
16 “I gave the record of ownership to Baruch son of Neriah. Then I prayed to the Lord. I said:
17 Oh, Lord God, you made the skies and the earth. You made them with your very great power. There is nothing too wonderful for you to do.
18 Lord, you show love and kindness to thousands of people. But you also bring punishment to children for their fathers’ sins. Great and powerful God, your name is the Lord of heaven’s armies.
19 You plan and do great things, Lord. You see everything that people do. You reward people for the way they live and for what they do.