⁴ So Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers and all the people^(A) disobeyed the Lord’s command^(B) to stay in the land of Judah.^(C)

⁵ Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the Lord be a true^(A) and faithful^(B) witness^(C) against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the Lord your God sends you to tell us. ⁶ Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well^(D) with us, for we will obey^(E) the Lord our God.”

⁵ But they did not listen or pay attention;^(A) they did not turn from their wickedness^(B) or stop burning incense^(C) to other gods.^(D)

¹⁶ While he was still speaking, the king said to him, “Have we appointed you an adviser to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?”

So the prophet stopped but said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.”

¹⁰ ‘If you stay in this land,^(A) I will build^(B) you up and not tear you down; I will plant^(C) you and not uproot you,^(D) for I have relented concerning the disaster I have inflicted on you.^{(E) 11} Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon,^(F) whom you now fear.^(G) Do not be afraid of him, declares the Lord, for I am with you and will save^(H) you and deliver you from his hands.^{(I) 12} I will show you compassion^(J) so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your land.’^(K)

¹³ “However, if you say, ‘We will not stay in this land,’ and so disobey^(L) the Lord your God,

¹⁶ So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.^(A)