1The prophet Jeremiah gave a message to Baruch son of Neriah in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah,45:1 The fourth year of Jehoiakim’s reign was 605 b.c. after Baruch had written down everything Jeremiah had dictated to him. He said,

2“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch:

3You have said, ‘I am overwhelmed with trouble! Haven’t I had enough pain already? And now the Lord has added more! I am worn out from sighing and can find no rest.’