¹⁰ So all the officials and people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their male and female slaves and no longer hold them in bondage. They agreed, and set them free.

¹⁶ Then the officials^(A) and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man should not be sentenced to death!^(B) He has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.”

¹⁰ When the officials^(A) of Judah heard about these things, they went up from the royal palace to the house of the Lord and took their places at the entrance of the New Gate^(B) of the Lord’s house.

²⁰ because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.^(A) When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled^[a]; yet he liked to listen to him.

⁴ Then the officials^(A) said to the king, “This man should be put to death.^(B) He is discouraging^(C) the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin.”

²⁴ The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear,^(A) nor did they tear their clothes.^{(B) 25} Even though Elnathan, Delaiah^(C) and Gemariah^(D) urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them.

¹² he went down to the secretary’s^(A) room in the royal palace, where all the officials were sitting: Elishama the secretary, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan^(B) son of Akbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials.^(C)

¹⁰ In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return^(A) to me with all her heart, but only in pretense,^(B)” declares the Lord.^(C)

¹¹ The Lord said to me, “Faithless Israel is more righteous^(D) than unfaithful^(E) Judah.^(F)

¹³ The Lord says: