Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

Jeremiah 29:9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

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.

Jeremiah 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "thoughts", "think", "toward", "saith", "lord", "peace", and "evil". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "thoughts" and "think", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 10's "For thus saith the LORD That after..." into verse 12's "Then shall ye call upon me and...", so "thoughts" and "think" belong inside that flow. In Jeremiah context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "thoughts" and "think" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.