“we are to live for the city: not against it, not above it or not simply live in it but for the flourishing of our city”
Jeremiah 29:4-14
4 “Thus says the LORD of hosts,the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem toBabylon: 5 nBuild houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Takewives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughtersin marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do notdecrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and oprayto the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. 8 For thus saysthe LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: pDo not let your prophets and qyour diviners whoare among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream,1 9 for ritis a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; sI did not send them, declares theLORD.
10 “For thus says the LORD: tWhen seventy years are completed for Babylon, uI willvisit you, vand I will fulfill to you my promise vand bring you back to this place. 11 wForI know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare2 and not for evil,xto give you a future and a hope. 12 yThen you will call upon me and come and pray tome, yand I will hear you. 13 zYou will seek me and find me, when you seek me awith allyour heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, band I will restore yourfortunes and cgather you from all the nations and all the places dwhere I have drivenyou, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent youinto exile.