¹⁵ Now the word of the Lord had come to Jeremiah when he was confined in the guard’s courtyard:^{(A) 16} “Go tell Ebed-melech the Cushite,^(B) ‘This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words for disaster and not for good against this city. They will take place before your eyes on that day. ¹⁷ But I will rescue you on that day—this is the Lord’s declaration—and you will not be handed over to the men you dread. ¹⁸ Indeed, I will certainly deliver you so that you do not fall by the sword. Because you have trusted in me, you will retain your life like the spoils of war.^(C) This is the Lord’s declaration.’”