1. The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchiah and the priest Zephaniah, son of Maaseiah, to say,
2. "Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, for King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the LORD will act for our sake in accordance with all His wonders, so that [Nebuchadrezzar] will withdraw from us."
3. Jeremiah answered them, "Thus shall you say to Zedekiah:
4. Thus said the LORD, the God of Israel: I am going to turn around the weapons in your hands with which you are battling outside the wall against those who are besieging you -- the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans -- and I will take them into the midst of this city;
5. and I Myself will battle against you with an outstretched mighty arm, with anger and rage and great wrath.
6. I will strike the inhabitants of this city, man and beast: they shall die by a terrible pestilence.
7. And then -- declares the LORD -- I will deliver King Zedekiah of Judah and his courtiers and the people -- those in this city who survive the pestilence, the sword, and the famine -- into the hands of King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon, into the hands of their enemies, into the hands of those who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword without pity, without compassion, without mercy.
8. "And to this people you shall say: Thus said the LORD: I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
9. Whoever remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but whoever leaves and goes over to the Chaldeans who are besieging you shall live; he shall at least gain his life.
10. For I have set My face against this city for evil and not for good -- declares the LORD. It shall be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon, who will destroy it by fire."
11. To the House of the king of Judah: Hear the word of the LORD!
12. O House of David, thus said the LORD: Render just verdicts Morning by morning; Rescue him who is robbed From him who defrauded him. Else My wrath will break forth like fire And burn, with none to quench it, Because of your wicked acts.
13. I will deal with you, O inhabitants of the valley, O rock of the plain -- declares the LORD -- You who say, "Who can come down against us? Who can get into our lairs?"
14. I will punish you according to your deeds -- declares the LORD. I will set fire to its forest; It shall consume all that is around it.
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