Jeremiah 39
1 IN THE ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, they broke into the city.3 [When Jerusalem was taken] all the princes of the king of Babylon came in and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim [the Rabsaris] a chief of the eunuchs, and Nergal-sharezer [II, the Rabmag] a chief of the magicians, with all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon.4 And when Zedekiah king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, they fled and went forth out of the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and [the king] went out toward the Arabah (the Jordan Valley).5 But the Chaldean army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. And when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the [Syrian] land of Hamath, where he pronounced sentence upon him.6 Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah at Riblah before his eyes; also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.7 Moreover, he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with shackles to take him to Babylon. 8 And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house and the houses of the people and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.9 Then Nebuzaradan the [chief executioner and] captain of the guard carried away captive to Babylon the rest of the people who remained in the city, along with those who deserted to him, and the remainder of the [so-called better class of] people who were left.10 But Nebuzaradan the [Babylonian] captain of the guard left in the land of Judah some of the poor of the people who had nothing, giving them vineyards and fields at the same time.11 Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave command concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,12 Take him and look after him well; do him no harm but deal with him as he may ask of you.13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushasban [the Rabsaris] a chief of the eunuchs, Nergal-sharezer [II, the Rabmag] a chief of the magicians, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon14 Sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard and entrusted him to Gedaliah [a prominent man whose father had once saved the prophet’s life] son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should take him home [with him to Mizpah]. So Jeremiah was released and dwelt among the people. 15 Now the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah while he was [still] shut up in the court of the guard, saying,16 Go and say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring to pass My words against this city for evil and not for good; and they will be accomplished before you on that day.17 But I will deliver you [Ebed-melech] on that day, says the Lord, and you will not be given into the hands of the men of whom you are afraid. 18 For I will surely deliver you; and you will not fall by the sword, but your life will be [as your only booty and] as a reward of battle to you, because you have put your trust in Me, says the Lord.
Jeremiah 39
1 King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it. The siege began in the tenth month of the ninth year that Zedekiah ruled over Judah.s2 It lasted until the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year.s On that day they broke through the city walls.3 Then Nergal-Sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-Sarsekim, who was a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer, who was a high official,t and all the other officers of the king of Babylon came and set up quarterst in the Middle Gate.ts4 When King Zedekiah of Judah and all his soldiers saw them, they tried to escape. They departed from the city during the night. They took a path through the king’s garden and passed out through the gate between the two walls.s Then they headed for the Jordan Valley.s5 But the Babyloniant army chased after them. They caught up with Zedekiah in the plains of Jerichos and captured him.s They took him to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon at Riblahs in the territory of Hamath and Nebuchadnezzar passed sentence on him there.6 There at Riblah the king of Babylon had Zedekiah’s sons put to death while Zedekiah was forced to watch. The king of Babylon also had all the nobles of Judah put to death.7 Then he had Zedekiah’s eyes put out and had him bound in chainst to be led off to Babylon.8 The Babylonianst burned down the royal palace, the temple of the Lord, and the people’s homes,s and they tore down the wall of Jerusalem.s9 Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard,t took captive the rest of the people who were left in the city. He carried them off to Babylon along with the people who had deserted to him.s
10 But het left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people who owned nothing. He gave them fields and vineyards at that time.
11 Now King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had issued orders concerning Jeremiah. He had passed them on through Nebuzaradan, the captain of his royal guard,t12 “Find Jeremiaht and look out for him.t Do not do anything to harm him,t but do with him whatever he tells you.”13 So Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard, Nebushazban, who was a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer, who was a high official,t and all the other officers of the king of Babylon
14 sent and had Jeremiah brought from the courtyard of the guardhouse. They turned him over to Gedaliah,s the son of Ahikam and the grandson of Shaphan, to take him home with him.t But Jeremiah stayed among the people.t
Ebed Melech Is Promised Deliverance because of His Faith
15 s Now the Lord had spoken to Jeremiah while he was still confined in the courtyard of the guardhouse,t16 “Gos and tell Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, ‘The Lord God of Israel who rules over all says, “I will carry out against this city what I promised. It will mean disaster and not good fortune for it.t When that disaster happens, you will be there to see it.t17 But I will rescue you when it happens.t I, the Lord, affirm it!t You will not be handed over to those whom you fear.s
18 I will certainly save you. You will not fall victim to violence.s You will escape with your lifet because you trust in me. I, the Lord, affirm it!”’”t