1 It was the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah. Jeremiah the prophet told these things to Baruch son of Neriah. And Baruch wrote them on a scroll. This is what Jeremiah said to Baruch:
2 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you:
3 Baruch, you have said, ‘How terrible it is for me! The Lord has given me sorrow along with my pain. I am tired because of my suffering. I cannot rest.’”
4 The Lord said, “Say this to Baruch: ‘This is what the Lord says: I will tear down what I have built. And I will pull up what I have planted. I will do that everywhere in Judah.
5 Baruch, you are looking for great things for yourself. Don’t do that! Don’t look for them because I will bring disaster on all the people. The Lord says these things! You will have to go many places. But I will let you escape alive wherever you go.’”