Jeremiah 29:11 (WEB)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

Jeremiah 29:9 For they prophesy falsely to you in my name. I have not sent them,” says Yahweh.

Jeremiah 29:10 For Yahweh says, “After seventy years are accomplished for 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,” says Yahweh, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:12 You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

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

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "thoughts", "think", "toward", "says", "yahweh", "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 Yahweh says After seventy years are..." into verse 12's "You shall call on me and you...", 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.