Verse 1

The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to a Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these b words in a book from the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,

(a) Who was Jeremiah's disciple, and wrote his prophecies under him.

(b) Of which read (Jeremiah 36:9-10).

Verse 3

Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I c fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.

(c) Baruch moved with an inconsiderate zeal for Jeremiah's imprisonment, but chiefly for the destruction of the people and the temple makes this lamentation, as in (Psalm 6:6).

Verse 4

Thus shalt thou say to him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, [that] which I have built I will d break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.

(d) Meaning that God could destroy this people, because he had planted them.

Verse 5

And seekest e thou great things for thyself? seek [them] not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give to thee for f a prize in all places where thou goest.

(e) "Do you think to have honour and credit?" in which he shows his infirmity.

(f) Read (Jeremiah 21:9).