Jeremiah 27:17 kjv — Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?

King James Version

"Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?"

— Jeremiah 27:17, King James Version

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Jeremiah 27:17 in Other Translations

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Jeremiah 27 — Context

14

Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.

15

For I have not sent them, saith the Lord, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.

16

Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the Lord’s house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.

17

Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?

18

But if they be prophets, and if the word of the Lord be with them, let them now make intercession to the Lord of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the Lord, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.

19

For thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,

20

Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;

Jeremiah 27:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Jeremiah 27:17 say?
Jeremiah 27:17 in the King James Version reads: “Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?”
Where is Jeremiah 27:17 in the Bible?
Jeremiah 27:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Jeremiah, chapter 27, verse 17.
Who wrote Jeremiah?
Jeremiah is traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, with scribal help from Baruch. It was written c. 627–580 BC.
What is the book of Jeremiah about?
Jeremiah, the "weeping prophet," ministered through Judah's slow-motion collapse — pleading with kings and people to repent, suffering imprisonment for his message, and ultimately watching Jerusalem fall. Yet in the midst of judgment he promises a new covenant written on the heart.
What are the major themes of Jeremiah?
Jeremiah explores themes including Judgment, Repentance, New Covenant, Suffering Prophet, Hope. These themes shape the meaning and context of Jeremiah 27:17.
What translation should I read Jeremiah 27:17 in?
Jeremiah 27:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Jeremiah 27:17?
Jeremiah 27:17 reads (KJV): “Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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