Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Study Note
Study Note
Jeremiah's letter to the Babylonian exiles contains the famous promise: 'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' The verse is universally beloved but often removed from its context: it was addressed specifically to exiles told to settle in Babylon for 70 years (verse 10), not to individuals seeking personal career guidance. The Hebrew 'machashavot' (plans/thoughts) carries deliberate, purposeful intent; 'shalom' (prosper/welfare) covers holistic well-being rather than material prosperity alone. Understanding the verse in its communal, historical, and eschatological context deepens rather than diminishes its force as a ground for hope in circumstances of loss.
Other Translations
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.
For I have known the thoughts that I am thinking towards you--an affirmation of Jehovah; thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give to you posterity and hope.
For I am conscious of my thoughts about you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope at the end.
Cross References
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break …
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have …
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel …
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they …
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the …
At the same time, saith the Lord, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they …
And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; …