Letter To the Exiles

This is what the God of Israel, the Lord Almgihty declares Unto all of you who have been carried away in to exile... In the land of your captivity until the day i reconcile You to your Motherland and answer everyone of your prayers, Build yourselves houses and dwell in them as you settle down; Plant gardens and eat the fruit they produce in the country and town Marry and may your wives be fruitful vines by the sides of your houses, Bearing sons and daughters like olive branches around each table That you may increase and not decrease and that they may be able To have children.. Find sons wives- give daughters to husbands for spouses Also, for the city where you are held captive and for the sake of your posterity Pray to the Lord for it; seek and pursue its peace and prosperity Because if it prospers so will you; in its peace thereof shall be yours the same. However, do not let false prophets and diviners among you beguile you Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have whereby they defile you Yes, this is what the God of Israel, the Lord Almighty does proclaim, They are prophesying lies to you in my Name but I have not sent them. For I know the plans I have for you, thoughts toward you my royal diadem Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, thoughts to give you an expected end A hope and future, you will call on me and come to me and pray And I will listen to you; you will seek me and find me on the day You seek me with all your heart; I will be found by you and extend My hand to turn away your captivity. I will come and fulfill my promise of grace And gather you from all the nations bringing you back to the place After seventy years are accomplished in the land where you are banished; I will break yokes and tear off bonds; I am with you and you will be saved. You will have rest and security and no longer by foreigners will you be enslaved, But I will restore you to health and your wounds will be vanished. I will also restore your fortunes and your numbers I will multiply; Your community will be established and your children will be as in the days of old. I will punish your oppressors and discipline you with the justice foretold; So you will be my people, I your God and you will understand it better by and by