1This is the message that the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Baruch, son of Neriah. Baruch wrote these things on a scroll book as Jeremiah dictated them during the fourth year that Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, was king of Judah. Jeremiah said: 2»This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says to you, Baruch: 3You said: »I am so miserable! Jehovah has added grief to my pain. I am worn out from groaning. I cannot find any rest.« 4»Say this to Baruch: ‘This is what Jehovah says: »I will tear down what I have built. I will uproot what I have planted throughout the earth. 5»Are you looking for great things for yourself? Do not look for them.« »I am going to bring disaster on all people!« Declares Jehovah, »But wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.«