1In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah , in the tenth month , came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem , and they besieged it. 2And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah , in the fourth month , the ninth day of the month , the city was broken up . 3And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in , and sat in the middle gate , even Nergal-sharezer , Samgar-nebo , Sarsechim , Rab-saris , Nergal-sharezer , Rab-mag , with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon . 4And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war , then they fled , and went forth out of the city by night , by the way of the king’s garden , by the gate betwixt the two walls : and he went out the way of the plain . 5But the Chaldeans’ army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho : and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath , where he gave judgment upon him. 6Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes : also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah . 7Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes , and bound him with chains , to carry him to Babylon . 8And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house , and the houses of the people , with fire , and brake down the walls of Jerusalem . 9Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city , and those that fell away , that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained . 10But Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people , which had nothing , in the land of Judah , and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time .
Jeremiah's Release
11Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard , saying , 12Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm ; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee. 13So Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard sent , and Nebushasban , Rab-saris , and Nergal-sharezer , Rab-mag , and all the king of Babylon’s princes ; 14Even they sent , and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison , and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan , that he should carry him home : so he dwelt among the people .
The Fate of the People
15Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah , while he was shut up in the court of the prison , saying , 16Go and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian , saying , Thus saith the LORD of hosts , the God of Israel ; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil , and not for good ; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee. 17But I will deliver thee in that day , saith the LORD : and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid . 18For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword , but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD .