Jeremiah 29:7 Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper."

◄ Jeremiah 29:7 ►

New International Version
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

New Living Translation
And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

English Standard Version
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Berean Standard Bible
Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

King James Bible
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

New King James Version
And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

New American Standard Bible
Seek the prosperity of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD in its behalf; for in its prosperity will be your prosperity.’

NASB 1995
‘Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’

NASB 1977
‘And seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’

Legacy Standard Bible
Seek the peace of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to Yahweh on its behalf; for in its peace you will have peace.’

Amplified Bible
Seek peace and well-being for the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its peace (well-being) you will have peace.’

Christian Standard Bible
Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Seek the welfare of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it has prosperity, you will prosper.”

American Standard Version
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray unto Jehovah for it; for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

Contemporary English Version
Pray for peace in Babylonia and work hard to make it prosperous. The more successful that nation is, the better off you will be.

English Revised Version
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Work for the good of the city where I've taken you as captives, and pray to the LORD for that city. When it prospers, you will also prosper.

Good News Translation
Work for the good of the cities where I have made you go as prisoners. Pray to me on their behalf, because if they are prosperous, you will be prosperous too.

International Standard Version
Seek the welfare of the city to which I've exiled you and pray to the LORD for it, for your welfare depends on its welfare.'

Majority Standard Bible
Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.?

NET Bible
Work to see that the city where I sent you as exiles enjoys peace and prosperity. Pray to the LORD for it. For as it prospers you will prosper.'

New Heart English Bible
Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you shall have peace.'

Webster's Bible Translation
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray to the LORD for it: for in the peace of it ye shall have peace.

World English Bible
Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to Yahweh for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and seek the peace of the city to where I have removed you, and pray to YHWH for it, for in its peace you have peace.

Young's Literal Translation
And seek the peace of the city whither I have removed you, and pray for it unto Jehovah, for in its peace ye have peace.

Smith's Literal Translation
And seek ye the peace of the city where I caused you to be carried away captive there, and pray for it to Jehovah; for in her peace, peace shall be to you.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And seek the peace of the city, to which I have caused you to be carried away captives; and pray to the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall be your peace.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And seek the peace of the city, to which I have caused you to be taken away, and pray to the Lord on its behalf. For your peace will be in its peace.

New American Bible
Seek the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you; pray for it to the LORD, for upon its welfare your own depends.

New Revised Standard Version
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray to the LORD for it; for in the peace thereof shall you have peace.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And seek the peace of the city of your captivity there, and pray for it before LORD JEHOVAH, that in its peace, you shall have peace”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray unto the LORD for it; for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And seek the peace of the land into which I have carried you captive, and ye shall pray to the Lord for the people: for in its peace ye shall have peace.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles
…6Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease. 7Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— / for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

Romans 13:1-7
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...

1 Peter 2:13-17
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. / For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men. ...

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Titus 3:1-2
Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, / to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.

Proverbs 11:11
By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

Proverbs 24:21
My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.

Ezra 6:10
Then they will be able to offer sacrifices of a sweet aroma to the God of heaven and to pray for the lives of the king and his sons.

Daniel 4:27
Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”

Nehemiah 1:4-11
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. / Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments, / let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. ...

Psalm 122:6-9
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper. / May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.” / For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” ...

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Treasury of Scripture

And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray to the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall you have peace.

seek.

Daniel 4:27
Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

Daniel 6:4,5
Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him…

Romans 13:1,5
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God…

pray.

Ezra 6:10
That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

Ezra 7:23
Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?

Daniel 4:19
Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.

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Jeremiah 29

1. Jeremiah sends a letter to the captives in Babylon to be quiet there,
8. and not to believe the dreams of their prophets;
10. and that they shall return with grace after seventy years.
15. He foretells the destruction of the rest for their disobedience.
20. He shows the fearful end of Ahab and Zedekiah, two false prophets.
24. Shemaiah writes a letter against Jeremiah.
30. Jeremiah foretells his doom.

Berean Study Bible

Seek the prosperity
The Hebrew word for "seek" is "דָּרַשׁ" (darash), which implies a diligent pursuit or inquiry. In the context of Jeremiah 29:7, it suggests an active engagement and intentional effort to promote the well-being of the city. This is not a passive hope but a call to action. The word "prosperity" is translated from "שָׁלוֹם" (shalom), which encompasses peace, welfare, and completeness. It is a holistic term that goes beyond mere economic success to include social harmony and spiritual well-being. Historically, the Israelites were in exile in Babylon, a place they did not choose and among people who were not their own. Yet, God instructs them to actively contribute to the city's welfare, indicating that His plans for them include being a blessing even in foreign lands.

of the city
The term "city" here refers specifically to Babylon, where the Israelites were exiled. Babylon was a significant city in ancient Mesopotamia, known for its grandeur and as a center of power and culture. For the Israelites, it represented a place of captivity and foreign rule. However, God's command to seek the city's prosperity underscores a divine purpose in their placement there. It challenges the Israelites to look beyond their immediate circumstances and see their role in God's broader plan. This instruction also serves as a reminder that God's people are called to be agents of change and blessing, regardless of their geographical or cultural context.

to which I have carried you into exile
The phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty and purpose in the Israelites' situation. The Hebrew word for "carried" is "הִגְלֵיתִי" (higleiti), which means to lead or bring into exile. This was not a random act of displacement but a deliberate act of God. It serves as a reminder that even in difficult and seemingly adverse situations, God is in control and has a purpose for His people. The exile was a consequence of Israel's disobedience, yet it was also an opportunity for renewal and transformation. This perspective encourages believers to trust in God's plan, even when it leads them into unfamiliar or challenging environments.

Pray to the LORD
The Hebrew word for "pray" is "פָּלַל" (palal), which means to intercede or make supplication. Prayer is a powerful tool for believers, and here it is directed towards the welfare of the city. This instruction highlights the importance of intercessory prayer, not just for personal needs but for the community and even for those who may be seen as adversaries. It reflects a heart aligned with God's will, seeking His intervention and blessing upon the place where they reside. This call to prayer also reinforces the idea that spiritual engagement is crucial in effecting change and bringing about God's purposes.

on its behalf
This phrase indicates a selfless act of intercession. The Israelites are called to pray for the city of their exile, a place that represents their loss and suffering. Yet, God instructs them to look beyond their grievances and seek the city's welfare. This act of praying on behalf of others, especially those who may not share the same faith or values, is a profound expression of love and obedience to God's command. It challenges believers to adopt a broader perspective, recognizing that God's blessings are not limited to a specific group but are intended to flow through His people to the wider world.

for when it prospers, you too will prosper
The prosperity of the city is directly linked to the prosperity of the Israelites. This principle reflects the interconnectedness of communities and the idea that the well-being of one group can positively impact another. The Hebrew word for "prosper" is again "שָׁלוֹם" (shalom), reinforcing the comprehensive nature of the prosperity God desires. It is a reminder that God's blessings are not isolated but are meant to be shared and multiplied. This promise encourages believers to invest in the welfare of their communities, trusting that as they do so, they will also experience God's provision and peace.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) And seek the peace of the city . . .--This was, we may believe, the hardest command of all. To refrain from all curses and imprecations, even from such as came from the lips of those who hung their harps on the willows by the waters of Babylon (Psalms 137), to pray for the peace and prosperity of the city where they were eating the bread of captivity--this surely required an almost superhuman patience. Yet this was the prophet's counsel. It seems almost to follow--unless we apply Augustine's rule, Distingue tempora, and refer the psalm to a time prior to Jeremiah's letter, or nearer the day of vengeance--that those imprecations, natural as they seem, belonged to a lower stage of spiritual progress than that represented by the prophet. He was, to those impatient exiles, as our Lord was to the impatient disciples who sought to call down fire on the village of the Samaritans (Luke 9:54-56). So, we may remember, Christians living under Nero were told to pray for the Emperor (1Timothy 2:2).

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - Seek the peace of the city, etc. Interest yourselves in the "peace" or welfare of the city, whether Babylon or any other place where ye may be in exile, and pray for its welfare, for your own well-being is inseparable from it.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Seek
וְדִרְשׁ֞וּ (wə·ḏir·šū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

the prosperity
שְׁל֣וֹם (šə·lō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

of the city
הָעִ֗יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

to which
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I have sent you as exiles.
הִגְלֵ֤יתִי (hiḡ·lê·ṯî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal

Pray
וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֥וּ (wə·hiṯ·pal·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

on its behalf,
בַעֲדָ֖הּ (ḇa·‘ă·ḏāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

if it prospers,
בִשְׁלוֹמָ֔הּ (ḇiš·lō·w·māh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

you too will prosper.’
שָׁלֽוֹם׃ (šā·lō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 29:7 Seek the peace of the city where (Jer.)