"The Search for Community II "	July 23rd, 2006

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 10-13

1. This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

4. This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5. "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.
6. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.
7. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

10. This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.
11. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
12. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
13.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

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