To these exiles, settled in distant Babylonia, Jeremiah sent a letter full of hope and encouragement. His advice to them was to cherish no vain expectations of throwing off the yoke of Babylon in the near future; but rather to settle down in Babylon, and to become good citizens of the great empire, recognizing that upon its prosperity depended their present peace and future hope. Jeremiah also promised to the exiles that after a generation or two they would be permitted to return. The prophet expresses