Jeremiah 21:1-7 - A Message For Zedekiah

¹ This is the word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah. King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur the son of Malchijah, and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah. The king said to Jeremiah: ² Please inquire of Jehovah on our behalf. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is warring against us. Perhaps Jehovah will deal with us with all his wonderful acts, so that the enemy will withdraw from us.

³ Jeremiah responded to them: Say the following Zedekiah: ⁴ Jehovah the God of Israel says: Behold, I am about to turn back the weapons of war you control. The weapons you use to make war against the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the wall. I will gather them into the center of this city. ⁵ I will war against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm (with my great power). I will extend my anger, wrath and great indignation. ⁶ I will also strike down the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast. They will die of a great pestilence.' ⁷ Afterwards, declares Jehovah: I will hand over Judah's King Zedekiah, his officials, the people, and everyone else in this city who survives the plague, war, and famine. They will be handed over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and to their enemies who want to kill them. Nebuchadnezzar will kill them with swords. He will not spare them, show them compassion, or care for them.'

¹ Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, his entire army, and all the kingdoms and people that he ruled were attacking Jerusalem and all its cities. This is what he said: ² This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: 'Go to King Zedekiah of Judah, and tell him, Jehovah says: I am going to hand this city over to the king of Babylon. He will burn it down. ³ You will not escape from him. You will certainly be captured and handed over to him. You will see the king of Babylon with your own eyes, and he will talk to you face to face. Then you will go to Babylon.

⁴ Listen to the word of Jehovah, King Zedekiah of Judah. This is what Jehovah says about you: 'You will not die in war. ⁵ You will die peacefully. People will burn funeral fires for you as they did for your ancestors, the kings who lived before you.' They will say: Oh, master, as they mourn for you. I have spoken my word, declares Jehovah.''

⁶ The prophet Jeremiah told all these things to King Zedekiah of Judah in Jerusalem. ⁷ He did this when the army of the king of Babylon was attacking Jerusalem and the cities of Lachish and Azekah. These were the only fortified cities of Judah that were left.