Jeremiah 28

Hananiah promises a quick return

1That same year, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the LORD before the priests and all the people: 2“The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. 3Within two full years I will bring back to this place all the vessels of the house of the LORD that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took from here and brought to Babylon. 4I will also bring back to this place Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles of Judah who went to Babylon, declares the LORD, for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.”

Jeremiah’s answer

5Then Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Hananiah the prophet before the priests and all the people standing in the house of the LORD. 6Jeremiah the prophet said, “Amen! May the LORD do so! May the LORD fulfill the words you have prophesied by bringing the vessels of the house of the LORD and all the exiles back from Babylon to this place. 7But listen to this word I am speaking in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. 8The prophets who came before you and me, from long ago, prophesied war, disaster, and plague against many lands and great kingdoms. 9As for a prophet who prophesies peace, only when that prophet's word comes true will it be known that the LORD truly sent him.”

The broken yoke

10Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke bar from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet and broke it. 11Before all the people, Hananiah said, “The LORD says: In just this way, within two full years, I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all the nations.” Then Jeremiah the prophet went on his way.

Iron in place of wood

12After Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke bar from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 13“Go and tell Hananiah: ‘The LORD says: You have broken wooden yoke bars, but in their place you have made iron yoke bars. 14For the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: I have put an iron yoke on the neck of all these nations, so that they will serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. They will serve him. I have even given him the wild animals.’”

15Jeremiah the prophet told Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah. The LORD did not send you, yet you have made this people trust a lie. 16So the LORD says: I am sending you away from the face of the earth. This year you will die, because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.” 17Hananiah the prophet died that same year, in the seventh month.