^7 (A)When all the captains of the forces in the open country and their men heard that ^(B)the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land and had committed to him men, women, and children, those of ^(C)the poorest of the land who had not been taken into exile to Babylon, ⁸ they went to Gedaliah at ^(D)Mizpah—^(E)Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, ^(F)Johanan the son of Kareah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, ^(G)Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. ⁹ Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, swore to them and their men, saying, “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, ^(H)and it shall be well with you. ¹⁰ As for me, I will dwell at ^(I)Mizpah, to represent you before the Chaldeans who will come to us. But as for you, ^(J)gather wine and summer fruits and oil, and store them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that you have taken.”