1. It was the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah. Jeremiah the prophet told these things to Baruch son of Neriah, and Baruch wrote them on a scroll:
2. "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch:
3. You have said, 'How terrible it is for me! The Lord has given me sorrow along with my pain. I am tired because of my suffering and cannot rest.'"
4. The Lord said, "Say this to Baruch: 'This is what the Lord says: I will soon tear down what I have built, and I will pull up what I have planted everywhere in Judah.
5. Baruch, you are looking for great things for yourself. Don't look for them, because I will bring disaster on all the people, says the Lord. You will have to go many places, but I will let you escape alive wherever you go.'"