Jeremiah 40:1-5

Expanded Bible

Jeremiah Is Set Free

40 The Lord spoke his word to Jeremiah after Nebuzaradan, commander of the guards, had ·set Jeremiah free at the city of [released/^Lsent him from] Ramah. He had found Jeremiah in Ramah bound in ·chains [fetters] with all the ·captives [exiles] from Jerusalem and Judah who were being ·taken away [exiled] to Babylon. ² When commander ·Nebuzaradan [^Lof the guards] ·found [^Ltook] Jeremiah, Nebuzaradan said to him, “The Lord your God announced this ·disaster [evil; trouble] would come to this place. ³ And now the Lord has done everything he ·said [promised] he would do. This ·disaster [evil; trouble] happened because you [^Cthe people of Judah] sinned against the Lord and did not ·obey him [^Llisten to his voice]. ⁴ But today I am ·freeing [releasing] you from the ·chains [fetters] on your ·wrists [^Lhands]. If ·you want to [^Lit is good in your eyes], come with me to Babylon, and I will ·take good care of you [^Lset my eyes on you]. But if ·you don’t want to come [^Lit is wrong/evil/bad in your eyes to come with me to Babylon], then ·don’t [fine]. Look, the whole country is open to you. Go wherever ·you wish [^Lit is good and right in your eyes].” ⁵ Before Jeremiah turned to leave, Nebuzaradan said, “Or go back to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan. The king of Babylon has ·chosen [appointed] him to be governor over the towns of Judah. Go and ·live [stay] with Gedaliah among the people, or go anywhere ·you want [^Lit is right in your eyes].”

Then Nebuzaradan gave Jeremiah some ·food [provisions] and a ·present [gift] and let him go.