⁵ Instead, Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers led away all the remnant of Judah who had come back to live in the land of Judah from all the nations where they had been scattered.^(A)

¹¹ When all the Jews in Moab,^(A) Ammon, Edom^(B) and all the other countries^(C) heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, as governor over them, ¹² they all came back to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, from all the countries where they had been scattered.^(D) And they harvested an abundance of wine and summer fruit.

¹⁵ But Ishmael son of Nethaniah and eight of his men escaped^(A) from Johanan and fled to the Ammonites.

Flight to Egypt

¹⁶ Then Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers^(B) who were with him led away all the people of Mizpah who had survived,^(C) whom Johanan had recovered from Ishmael son of Nethaniah after Ishmael had assassinated Gedaliah son of Ahikam—the soldiers, women, children and court officials he had recovered from Gibeon.

¹⁹ Now let my lord the king listen^(A) to his servant’s words. If the Lord has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering.^(B) If, however, people have done it, may they be cursed before the Lord! They have driven me today from my share in the Lord’s inheritance^(C) and have said, ‘Go, serve other gods.’^(D)