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Jeremiah Decides to Remain in the Land

40 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh after Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard,[a] had let him go from Ramah, where he had been taken[b] bound in chains in the midst of all the exiles[c] of Jerusalem and Judah who were being deported to Babylon. And the captain of the guard[d] took Jeremiah and said to him, “Yahweh your God threatened this disaster to this place, and now he has brought it about,[e] and Yahweh has done just as[f] he threatened. Because you sinned against Yahweh and did not listen to his voice, so this thing has happened to you. And so then look, I have released you today[g] from the chains that were on your hands.[h] If it is good in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, then come, and I will take care of you.[i] But if it is bad in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, then refrain. Look, the whole land is before you.[j] To wherever it is good and right in your eyes to go, then go there.” While he still had not turned back, Nebuzaradan added, “Return to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed in an official position over the towns of Judah, and stay with him in the midst of the people. Or to wherever it is right in your eyes to go, then go there.”[k] Then the captain of the guard[l] gave him an allowance of provisions and a present, and let him go.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 40:1 Hebrew “guards”
  2. Jeremiah 40:1 Literally “at his taking him
  3. Jeremiah 40:1 Hebrew “exile”
  4. Jeremiah 40:2 Hebrew “guards”
  5. Jeremiah 40:3 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  6. Jeremiah 40:3 Literally “as that”
  7. Jeremiah 40:4 Literally “the day”
  8. Jeremiah 40:4 Hebrew “hand”
  9. Jeremiah 40:4 Literally “I will place my eye on you”
  10. Jeremiah 40:4 Literally “to the face of you”
  11. Jeremiah 40:5 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  12. Jeremiah 40:5 Hebrew “guards”

Jeremiah Remains in Judah

40 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord after (A)Nebuzaradan captain of the bodyguard had released him from (B)Ramah, when he had taken him bound in (C)chains among all the exiles of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon. Now the captain of the bodyguard had taken Jeremiah and said to him, “The (D)Lord your God promised this disaster against this place; and the Lord has brought it and done just as He promised. Because you people (E)sinned against the Lord and did not listen to His voice, this thing has happened to you. But now, behold, I am (F)setting you free today from the chains that are on your hands. If [a]you would prefer to come with me to Babylon, come along, and I will [b]look after you; but if [c]you would prefer not to come with me to Babylon, [d]do not come. Look, the (G)whole land is before you; go wherever it seems good and right for you to go.” As [e]Jeremiah was still not going back, [f]he said, “Go on back then to (H)Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has (I)appointed over the cities of Judah, and stay with him among the people; or else go anywhere it seems right for you to go.” So the captain of the bodyguard gave him a (J)ration and a (K)gift, and let him go.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 40:4 Lit it is good in your eyes
  2. Jeremiah 40:4 Lit set my eyes on
  3. Jeremiah 40:4 Lit it is evil in your eyes
  4. Jeremiah 40:4 Lit refrain
  5. Jeremiah 40:5 Lit he
  6. Jeremiah 40:5 I.e., Nebuzaradan