Jeremiah Chooses to Remain in Judah

40 This is^[a] the message that came to Jeremiah from the Lord after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had released him from Ramah, when he was bound in chains, along with all the exiles from Jerusalem and Judah who were being taken into exile in Babylon.

² The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and told him, “The Lord your God has predicted this disaster on this place. ³ And now the Lord has brought it about and has done just as he said. Because you people sinned against the Lord and didn’t obey him, this has happened to you. ⁴ Now, look, I’ve freed you today from the chains that were on your hands. If you want^[b] to come with me to Babylon, come, and I’ll look after you. But if you don’t want^[c] to come with me to Babylon, don’t.^[d] Look, the whole land lies before you, so go wherever it seems good and right for you to go.”

⁵ When he still did not respond, Nebuzaradan said,^[e] “Return to Ahikam’s son Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the cities of Judah, and remain with him among the people—or go wherever it seems right for you to go.” Then the captain of the guard gave him an allowance of food and a gift and sent him off.