The Lord Speaks to Baruch
1Jeremiah talked to Baruch, the son of Neriah. It was in the fourth year that Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, was king of Judah. It was when Baruch had written down on a scroll the words Jeremiah the prophet told him to write. Jeremiah had said, 2“The Lord is the God of Israel. Baruch, he says to you, 3‘You have said, “How terrible it is for me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain. I’m worn out from all my groaning. I can’t find any rest.” ’ 4But here is what the Lord has told me to say to you, Baruch. ‘The Lord says, “I will destroy what I have built up. I will pull up by the roots what I have planted. I will do this throughout the earth. 5So should you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. I will bring trouble on everyone,” announces the Lord. “But no matter where you go, I will let you escape with your life.” ’ ”
Et budskab til Baruk
1I kong Jojakim af Judas fjerde regeringsår fik jeg et budskab fra Herren, som var henvendt til Baruk, der efter mit diktat nedskrev alt, hvad Herren sagde til mig:
2Hør, hvad Herren, Israels Gud, har at sige til dig, Baruk: 3„Du beklager dig over dine problemer og lidelser. Du har ingen ro på dig og bliver træt og nedtrykt over de mange domsbudskaber. 4Lad mig fortælle dig noget, siger Herren: Jeg har lov til at rive det ned, jeg selv har bygget op, og rykke det op, jeg selv har plantet. Og det kan jeg gøre overalt på jorden. 5Du vil gerne opleve fremgang og lykke lige meget hvad, men det kan du godt opgive, for jeg vil dømme ondskaben, hvor end den findes i verden. Men jeg lover dig, at lige meget hvor du kommer hen, vil jeg redde dig fra døden.”
