Jeremiah 29:13

What does Jeremiah 29:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Jeremiah 29:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Jeremiah 29:13 means

This verse further clarifies the depth of the spiritual engagement God desires: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." It goes beyond merely calling upon God, requiring a wholehearted, diligent pursuit of Him. This implies a turning away from idolatry, false hopes, and a shallow faith, towards a genuine, all-encompassing commitment to God. This sincere searching is presented as the condition for truly encountering and experiencing God's presence and fulfilling His promises.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And you will be searching for me and I will be there, when you have gone after me with all your heart.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And ye have sought Me, and have found, for ye seek Me with all your heart;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

You shall seek me, and shall find me: when you shall seek me with all your heart.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and ye shall seek me and find me, for ye shall search for me with all your heart,

Context

Expanding on the call to prayer, this verse intensifies the requirement for a wholehearted search for God. It adds a crucial qualitative dimension to their spiritual effort. This emphasis on sincere devotion is vital for the exiles, showing them that their restoration would involve a deep, personal commitment to God, not just a formal religious act.

v.12And ye shall call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

v.13This passage

v.14And I will be found of you, saith Jehovah, and I will turn again your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith Jehovah; and I will bring you again unto the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Chronicles 31:21

    And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

  • 1 Kings 2:4

    that Jehovah may establish his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

  • Luke 11:9

    And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

  • Psalms 119:10

    With my whole heart have I sought thee: Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.

  • 2 Chronicles 22:9

    And he sought Ahaziah, and they caught him (now he was hiding in Samaria), and they brought him to Jehu, and slew him; and they buried him, for they said, He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Jehovah with all his heart. And the house of Ahaziah had no power to hold the kingdom.

  • Hosea 5:15

    I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me earnestly.

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