The Hebrew Prophets

"So pay attention now to the word of ADONAI, all of you in exile, whom I sent away from Yerushalayim to Bavel.

Here is what ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, says about Ach'av the son of Kolayah and Tzidkiyahu the son of Ma'aseiyah, who prophesy lies to you in my name: 'I will hand them over to N'vukhadretzar king of Bavel, and he will put them to death before your eyes.

In fact, all those exiled from Y'hudah who are in Bavel will take up this formula for cursing: "May ADONAI make you like Tzidkiyahu and Ach'av, whom the king of Bavel roasted in the fire!"

because they have done vile things in Isra'el, committing adultery with their neighbors' wives and speaking words in my name, falsely, which I did not order them to say. For I am he who knows; I am witness to this,' says ADONAI.

"To Sh'ma'yah the Nechelami you are to communicate this message:

'This is a word from ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, because of the letters you sent in your own name to all the people in Yerushalayim, including Tz'fanyah the son of Ma'aseiyah the cohen and all the cohanim.

Your letter said, "ADONAI has made you cohen in place of Y'hoyada the cohen, in order to have officials in ADONAI's house who will arrest any crazy person who makes himself out to be a prophet, so that you can restrain him in stocks and collar.

So why haven't you rebuked Yirmeyahu of 'Anatot, who makes himself out to be a prophet for you?

He even sends word to us in Bavel saying that the exile will last a long time; so build houses and live in them, plant gardens and eat what they produce."

Tz'fanyah the cohen read this letter to Yirmeyahu the prophet, and afterwards

the word of ADONAI came to Yirmeyahu,

instructing him to send to all those in exile this message: "Here is what ADONAI says about Sh'ma'yah the Nechelami: 'This Sh'ma'yah has prophesied to you, even though I did not send him, and has caused you to put your trust in a lie.

Because of this,' ADONAI says, 'I will punish Sh'ma'yah the Nechelami and his offspring. He will not have a man to live among this people, and he will not see the good I am planning to do for my people,' says ADONAI, 'because he has preached rebellion against ADONAI.'"'"

This word came to Yirmeyahu from ADONAI:

"This is what ADONAI the God of Isra'el says: 'Write all the words I have spoken to you in a scroll.

For the day is coming,' says ADONAI, 'when I will reverse the exile of my people Isra'el and Y'hudah,' says ADONAI. 'I will cause them to return to the land I gave their ancestors, and they will take possession of it.'"

These are the words ADONAI spoke concerning Isra'el and Y'hudah:

Here is what ADONAI says: "We have heard a cry of terror, of fear and not of peace.

Ask now and see: can men give birth to children? Why, then, do I see all the men with their hands on their stomachs like women in labor, with every face turned pale?

How dreadful that day will be! - there has never been one like it: a time of trouble for Ya'akov, but out of it he will be saved.

"On that day," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot, "I will break his yoke from off your neck, I will snap your chains. Foreigners will no longer enslave him.

Instead, they will serve ADONAI their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

"So don't be afraid, Ya'akov my servant," says ADONAI, "or be alarmed, Isra'el; for I will return you from far away and your offspring from their country of exile. Ya'akov will again be quiet, at rest; and no one will make him afraid.

"For I am with you to save you," says ADONAI, "I will finish off all the nations where I have scattered you. However, you I will not finish off, but will discipline only as you deserve; I will not completely destroy you."

For here is what ADONAI says: "Your wound is past healing, your injury most severe;