¹⁴ This is what the Lord says: “Concerning all my evil neighbors who attack the inheritance that I bequeathed to my people, Israel, I am about to uproot them^(A) from their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from them. ¹⁵ After I have uprooted them, I will once again have compassion^(B) on them and return each one to his inheritance and to his land. ¹⁶ If they will diligently learn the ways of my people^(C)—to swear by my name, ‘As the Lord lives,’ just as they taught my people to swear by Baal—they will be built up among my people. ¹⁷ However, if they will not obey, then I will uproot and destroy that nation.”^(D)

This is the Lord’s declaration.

⁷ At one moment I might announce concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will uproot, tear down, and destroy it.^(A)

⁹ At another time I might announce concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it.^(A)

⁷ I will spoil the plans of Judah and Jerusalem in this place. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies, by the hand of those who intend to take their life. I will provide their corpses as food for the birds of the sky and for the wild animals of the land.^(A)

⁶ I will keep my eyes on them for their good^(A) and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not demolish them; I will plant them and not uproot them.^(B)

²⁸ Just as I watched over them to uproot and to tear them down, to demolish and to destroy, and to cause disaster,^(A) so will I watch over them to build and to plant them”^(B)—this is the Lord’s declaration.

⁶ So then, just as you have received^(A) Christ Jesus as Lord,^(B) continue to walk in him, ⁷ being rooted and built up in him^(C) and established in the faith, just as you were taught,^(D) and overflowing with gratitude.