Seventy Years of Servitude for Failure to Give Heed

25:1 In the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah, the Lord spoke to Jeremiah1 concerning all the people of Judah. (That was the same as the first year that Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon.)2 25:2 So the prophet Jeremiah spoke to all the people of Judah and to all the people who were living in Jerusalem.3 25:3 “For the last twenty-three years, from the thirteenth year that Josiah son of Amon was ruling in Judah4 until now, the Lord has been speaking to me. I told you over and over again5 what he said.6 But you would not listen. 25:4 Over and over again7 the Lord has sent8 his servants the prophets to you. But you have not listened or paid attention.9 25:5 He said through them,10 ‘Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and stop doing the evil things you are doing.11 If you do, I will allow you to continue to live here in the land that I gave to you and your ancestors as a lasting possession.12 25:6 Do not pay allegiance to13 other gods and worship and serve them. Do not make me angry by the things that you do.14 Then I will not cause you any harm.’ 25:7 So, now the Lord says,15 ‘You have not listened to me. But16 you have made me angry by the things that you have done.17 Thus you have brought harm on yourselves.’

25:8 “Therefore, the Lord who rules over all18 says, ‘You have not listened to what I said.19 25:9 So I, the Lord, affirm that20 I will send for all the peoples of the north21 and my servant,22 King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and all the nations that surround it. I will utterly destroy23 this land, its inhabitants, and all the nations that surround it24 and make them everlasting ruins.25 I will make them objects of horror and hissing scorn.26 25:10 I will put an end to the sounds of joy and gladness, to the glad celebration of brides and grooms in these lands.27 I will put an end to the sound of people grinding meal. I will put an end to lamps shining in their houses.28 25:11 This whole area29 will become a desolate wasteland. These nations will be subject to the king of Babylon for seventy years.’30

25:12 “ ‘But when the seventy years are over, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation31 for their sins. I will make the land of Babylon32 an everlasting ruin.33 I, the Lord, affirm it!34 25:13 I will bring on that land everything that I said I would. I will bring on it everything that is written in this book. I will bring on it everything that Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations.35 25:14 For many nations and great kings will make slaves of the king of Babylon and his nation36 too. I will repay them for all they have done!’ ”37