Old Testament · Deuterocanonical
The Book of Baruch
The Book of Baruch is the thirtieth of the 46 books of the Old Testament, and one of its 7 deuterocanonical books: 6 chapters and 213 verses.
About Baruch
About Baruch · Exilic exhortation
Baruch comes down under the name of Jeremiah's secretary, presented as written among the exiles in Babylon; in the form we have, it is a later composition gathering that community's prayer of confession, a poem in praise of Wisdom, and words of comfort for Jerusalem. It closes with a letter mocking the idols of Babylon. A deuterocanonical book of the Catholic canon, it was written to teach the scattered how to repent honestly, hold their identity, and wait for God's promised gathering — the permanent handbook of a people far from home.
| Testament | Old Testament — book 30 of 46, 30 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Deuterocanonical |
| Chapters | 6 |
| Verses | 213, as Bless numbers them |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, every chapter |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 6 chapters · 7 notes |
| Catechism | 1 paragraph cite it |
Chapter by chapter
All 6 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
Baruch 1
22 versesThe Jews of Babylon send the book of Baruch with money to Jerusalem, requesting their brethren there to offer sacrifice, and to pray for the king and for them, acknowledging their manifold sins.
Baruch 2
35 versesA further confession of the sins of the people, and of the justice of God.
Baruch 3
38 versesThey pray for mercy, acknowledging that they are justly punished for forsaking true wisdom. A prophecy of Christ.
Baruch 4
37 versesThe prophet exhorts to the keeping of the law of wisdom, and encourages the people to be patient, and to hope for their deliverance.
Baruch 5
9 versesJerusalem is invited to rejoice and behold the return of her children out of their captivity.
Baruch 6
72 versesThe epistle of Jeremias to the captives, as a preservative against idolatry. A copy of the epistle that Jeremias sent to them that were to be led away captives into Babylon, by the king of Babylon, to declare to them according to what was commanded him by God.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, Baruch is read at the principal Mass on 3 days in the US calendar. The next 5 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Saturday — the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter | Sixth Reading | Baruch 3:9-15, 32—4:4 | |
| computed | St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church | First Reading | Baruch 1:15-22 |
| computed | Holy Guardian Angels | First Reading | Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29 |
| computed | Second Sunday of Advent | First Reading | Baruch 5:1-9 |
| computed | Holy Saturday — the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter | Sixth Reading | Baruch 3:9-15, 32—4:4 |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar (principal Mass, first option). Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.