Jeremiah 39:11-40:6

New International Version

¹¹ Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given these orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard: ¹² “Take him and look after him; don’t harm^(A) him but do for him whatever he asks.” ¹³ So Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard, Nebushazban a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer a high official and all the other officers^(B) of the king of Babylon ¹⁴ sent and had Jeremiah taken out of the courtyard of the guard.^(C) They turned him over to Gedaliah^(D) son of Ahikam,^(E) the son of Shaphan,^(F) to take him back to his home. So he remained among his own people.^(G)

¹⁵ While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him: ¹⁶ “Go and tell Ebed-Melek^(H) the Cushite, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words^(I) against this city—words concerning disaster,^(J) not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. ¹⁷ But I will rescue^(K) you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. ¹⁸ I will save^(L) you; you will not fall by the sword^(M) but will escape with your life,^(N) because you trust^(O) in me, declares the Lord.’”

Jeremiah Freed

40 The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord after Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard had released him at Ramah.^(P) He had found Jeremiah bound in chains among all the captives^(Q) from Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried into exile to Babylon. ² When the commander^(R) of the guard found Jeremiah, he said to him, “The Lord your God decreed^(S) this disaster^(T) for this place.^{(U) 3} And now the Lord has brought it about; he has done just as he said he would. All this happened because you people sinned^(V) against the Lord and did not obey^(W) him. ⁴ But today I am freeing^(X) you from the chains^(Y) on your wrists. Come with me to Babylon, if you like, and I will look after you; but if you do not want to, then don’t come. Look, the whole country lies before you; go wherever you please.”^{(Z) 5} However, before Jeremiah turned to go,^[a] Nebuzaradan added, “Go back to Gedaliah^(AA) son of Ahikam,^(AB) the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed^(AC) over the towns^(AD) of Judah, and live with him among the people, or go anywhere else you please.”^(AE)

Then the commander gave him provisions and a present^(AF) and let him go. ⁶ So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah^(AG) and stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land.