Jeremiah 39

The Fall of Jerusalem
2 Kgs. 25.1-21 · 2 Chr. 36.17-21 · Jer. 52.4-30
1	In the ninth year of Zedeki’ah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrez’zar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.
2	And in the eleventh year of Zedeki’ah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.
3	And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Ner’gal–share’zer, Samgar–ne’bo, Sar’sechim, Rab–sa’ris, Ner’gal–share’zer, Rab–mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
4	And it came to pass, that when Zedeki’ah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.
5	But the Chalde’ans’ army pursued after them, and overtook Zedeki’ah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnez’zar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.
6	Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedeki’ah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.
7	Moreover he put out Zedeki’ah’s eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.
8	And the Chalde’ans burned the king’s house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.
9	Then Neb’uzar–a’dan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.
10	But Neb’uzar–a’dan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
Nebuchadrezzar’s Care for Jeremiah
11	¶ Now Nebuchadrez’zar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Neb’uzar–a’dan the captain of the guard, saying,
12	Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.
13	So Neb’uzar–a’dan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushas’ban, Rab–sa’ris, and Ner’gal–share’zer, Rab–mag, and all the king of Babylon’s princes;
14	even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedali’ah the son of Ahi’kam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.
Ebed–melech Assured of Deliverance
15	¶ Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,
16	Go and speak to E’bed–mel’ech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.
17	But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD; and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.
18	For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee; because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.

Published by The American Bible Society

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