⁴ So ^(A)Johanan the son of Kareah and all ^(B)the commanders of the forces and all the people did not obey the voice of the Lord, to remain in the land of Judah.

⁵ Then they said to Jeremiah, ^(A)“May the Lord be a true and ^(B)faithful witness against us ^(C)if we do not act according to all the word ^(D)with which the Lord your God sends you to us. ⁶ Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, ^(E)that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.”

^5 (A)But they did not listen ^(B)or incline their ear, to turn from their evil and make no offerings to other gods.

¹⁶ But as he was speaking, the king said to him, “Have we made you a royal counselor? Stop! Why should you be struck down?” So the prophet stopped, but said, “I know that ^(A)God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.”

¹⁰ If you will remain in this land, ^(A)then I will build you up and not pull you down; I will plant you, and not pluck you up; ^(B)for I relent of the disaster that I did to you. ^11 (C)Do not fear the king of Babylon, ^(D)of whom you are afraid. ^(E)Do not fear him, declares the Lord, ^(F)for I am with you, to save you and to deliver you from his hand. ^12 (G)I will grant you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and let you remain in your own land. ^13 (H)But if you say, ‘We will not remain in this land,’ disobeying the voice of the Lord your God

¹⁶ But I say that ^(A)wisdom is better than might, though ^(B)the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.