Seventy Years of Captivity

25 The word came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakime son of Josiah king of Judah, which was the first year of Nebuchadnezzarf king of Babylon. 2 So Jeremiah the prophet said to all the people of Judahg and to all those living in Jerusalem: 3 For twenty-three years—from the thirteenth year of Josiahh son of Amon king of Judah until this very day—the word of the Lord has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again,i but you have not listened.j

4 And though the Lord has sent all his servants the prophetsk to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention.l 5 They said, “Turnm now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices, and you can stay in the landn the Lord gave to you and your ancestors for ever and ever. 6 Do not follow other godso to serve and worship them; do not arouse my anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you.”

7 “But you did not listen to me,” declares the Lord, “and you have arousedp my anger with what your hands have made,q and you have brought harmr to yourselves.”

8 Therefore the Lord Almighty says this: “Because you have not listened to my words, 9 I will summons all the peoples of the northt and my servantu Nebuchadnezzarv king of Babylon,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. I will completely destroya w them and make them an object of horror and scorn,x and an everlasting ruin.y 10 I will banish from them the soundsz of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom,a the sound of millstonesb and the light of the lamp.c 11 This whole country will become a desolate wasteland,d and these nations will servee the king of Babylon seventy years.f