Verse a Prayer

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says Yahweh, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.
Read the full chapter →Make an image

Context and meaning

The promise most quoted at graduations and New Year's Eve was written to a deported people. Jerusalem had fallen, and thousands of Jews were living in Babylon, far from home, convinced it would be over soon. Jeremiah writes a letter to say the opposite: build houses, plant gardens, marry, seek the peace of the city where you are. The exile would last seventy years.

It is in that setting that verse 11 arrives. The plans of peace do not cancel the exile; they exist inside it. The promise of a future and a hope is given to people who would probably not see the return with their own eyes.

That does not weaken the text — quite the opposite. It stops being a charm for things to go well this semester and becomes a promise robust enough for long seasons of waiting. When you read it, it is worth remembering the next verse: "Then you shall call on me... and I will listen to you."

Related verses

  1. Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

    Proverbs 3:5-6See in the chapter

  2. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.

    Romans 8:28See in the chapter

This verse appears in

HopePromises for those who need a tomorrow: plans of peace, new mercies every morning and an anchor for the soul.BirthdayVerses to congratulate and bless: this is the day the Lord has made, the blessing of Numbers 6 and plans of peace.GraduationVerses for the graduate and the invitation: plans of peace, what was begun will be completed, strength and courage for the next step.New YearVerses for starting over: a new thing, mercies every morning, forgetting what lies behind and pressing on.ProsperityWhat the Bible really says about prospering: the tree planted by the waters, blessing without sorrow and God's supply — without promises of wealth.

Scripture text: World English Bible (WEB), public domain. Prayers, introductions and reflections: original text by this site, not affiliated with any denomination. Devotional content; it does not replace medical, psychological or legal advice.

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB), public domain. "World English Bible" is a trademark of eBible.org. ebible.org/web/