4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from

Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they

produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters

in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not

decrease. 7 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.”