Bible, King James Version
Jeremiah
Jer.40
[1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after
that Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard had let him go from
Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that
were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were
carried away captive unto Babylon.
[2] And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said
unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this
place.
[3] Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he
hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not
obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.
[4] And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains
which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come
with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but
if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear:
behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and
convenient for thee to go, thither go.
[5] Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back
also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the
king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and
dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth
convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him
victuals and a reward, and let him go.
[6] Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to
Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the
land.
[7] Now when all the captains of the forces which were in
the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of
Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land,
and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of
the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive
to Babylon;
[8] Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the
son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah,
and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the
Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and
their men.
[9] And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan
sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the
Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and
it shall be well with you.
[10] As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve
the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine,
and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and
dwell in your cities that ye have taken.
[11] Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and
among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the
countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of
Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam
the son of Shaphan;
[12] Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither
they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah,
unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.
[13] Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the
captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah
to Mizpah,
[14] And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that
Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of
Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed
them not.
[15] Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in
Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay
Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore
should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto
thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?
[16] But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the
son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest
falsely of Ishmael.
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