⁸ “Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life^(A) and the way of death. ⁹ Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague.^(B) But whoever goes out and surrenders^(C) to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives.^{(D) 10} I have determined to do this city harm^(E) and not good, declares the Lord. It will be given into the hands^(F) of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.’^(G)

² “This is what the Lord says: ‘Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague,^(A) but whoever goes over to the Babylonians^[a] will live. They will escape with their lives; they will live.’^(B)

¹⁷ Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you surrender^(A) to the officers of the king of Babylon, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down; you and your family will live.^{(B) 18} But if you will not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be given into the hands^(C) of the Babylonians and they will burn^(D) it down; you yourself will not escape^(E) from them.’”

¹⁹ King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I am afraid^(F) of the Jews who have gone over^(G) to the Babylonians, for the Babylonians may hand me over to them and they will mistreat me.”

²⁰ “They will not hand you over,” Jeremiah replied. “Obey^(H) the Lord by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well^(I) with you, and your life^(J) will be spared. ²¹ But if you refuse to surrender, this is what the Lord has revealed to me: ²² All the women^(K) left in the palace of the king of Judah will be brought out to the officials of the king of Babylon. Those women will say to you:

²³ “All your wives and children^(N) will be brought out to the Babylonians. You yourself will not escape^(O) from their hands but will be captured^(P) by the king of Babylon; and this city will^[a] be burned down.”^(Q)

¹⁸ I will save^(A) you; you will not fall by the sword^(B) but will escape with your life,^(C) because you trust^(D) in me, declares the Lord.’”

⁵ Should you then seek great^(A) things for yourself? Do not seek them.^(B) For I will bring disaster^(C) on all people,^(D) declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape^(E) with your life.’”^(F)