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40 The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah, who were carried away captive to Babylon. The captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said to him, “Yahweh your God pronounced this evil on this place; and Yahweh has brought it, and done according as he spoke. Because you have sinned against Yahweh, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing has come on you. Now, behold, I release you today from the chains which are on your hand. If it seems good to you to come with me into Babylon, come, and I will take care of you; but if it seems bad to you to come with me into Babylon, don’t. Behold, all the land is before you. Where it seems good and right to you to go, there go.” Now while he had not yet gone back, “Go back then,” he said, “to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people; or go wherever it seems right to you to go.”

So the captain of the guard gave him food and a present, and let him go.

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Jeremiah Stays in Judah

40 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord after Nebuzaradan, captain of the guards, released him at Ramah.(A) When he found him, he was bound in chains with all the exiles of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon. The captain of the guards took Jeremiah and said to him, “The Lord your God decreed this disaster on this place,(B) and the Lord has fulfilled it. He has done just what he decreed. Because you people have sinned against the Lord(C) and have not obeyed him, this thing has happened. Now pay attention: Today I am setting you free from the chains that were on your hands.(D) If it pleases you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will take care of you. But if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, go no farther.[a] Look—the whole land is in front of you.(E) Wherever it seems good and right for you to go, go there.” When Jeremiah had not yet turned to go, Nebuzaradan said to him,[b] “Return[c] to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the cities of Judah, and stay with him among the people or go wherever it seems right for you to go.” So the captain of the guards gave him a ration(F) and a gift(G) and released him.

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Footnotes

  1. 40:4 Lit Babylon, stop
  2. 40:5 Nebuzaradan said to him supplied for clarity
  3. 40:5 LXX reads “But if not, run, return; Hb obscure