Moreover, thus sayeth the LORD: like as the heaven above cannot be measured, and as the foundations of the earth beneath may not be sought out; So will I also not cast out the whole seed of Israel, for that they have committed, sayeth the LORD.

As for Zedekiah the king of Judah, he shall not be able to escape the Chaldeans, but surely he shall come into the hands of the king of Babylon: which shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and one of them shall look another in the face.

'Behold, Hananel the son of Shallum thine Uncle's son shall come unto thee, and require thee to redeem the land, that lieth in Anathoth unto thyself: for by reason of kindred it is thy part to redeem it, and to buy it out.'

And so, Hananel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison, according to the word of the LORD - and said unto me, 'Buy my land, I pray thee, that lieth in Anathoth in the country of Benjamin: for by heritage thou hast right to loose it out for thyself; therefore redeem it.' Then I perceived, that this was the commandment of the LORD,

For the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, hath determined that houses, fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.'

'O LORD God: It is thou that hast made heaven and earth with thy great power and high arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.

Behold, there are bulwarks made now against the city, to take it: and it shall be won of the Chaldeans that besiege it with sword, with hunger and death. And look, what thou hast spoken, that same shall come upon them. For lo, all things are present unto thee:

'Behold, I am the LORD God of all flesh, is there anything then too hard for me?'

For the Chaldeans shall come, and win this city, and set fire upon it, and burn it: with the gorgeous houses in whose parlors they have made sacrifice unto Baal, and poured drink offerings unto strange gods, to provoke me unto wrath.

For seeing the children of Israel, and the children of Judah have wrought wickedness before me ever from their youth up, what have they else done, but provoked me with the works of their own hands, sayeth the LORD?

They have builded high places for Baal in the valley of the children of Hinnom, to cause their sons and daughters to pass through fire in honor of Moloch: which I never commanded them, neither came it ever in my thought, to make Judah sin with such abomination.

And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me all the days of their life, that they and their children after them may prosper.

And I will set up an everlasting covenant with them; Namely: that I will never cease to do them good, and that I will put my fear in their hearts, so that they shall not run away from me.

For thus sayeth the LORD: Like as I have brought all this great plague upon this people, so will I also bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.

Yea, land shall be bought for money, and evidences made thereupon and sealed before witnesses in the country of Benjamin, and round about Jerusalem: in the cities of Judah; in the cities that are upon the mountains; and in them that lie beneath; yea, and in the cities that are in the desert. For I will bring their prisoners hither again, sayeth the LORD.'"

And this shall get me a name, and praise and honour, among all people of the earth, which shall hear all the good, that I will show unto them: Yea, they shall be afraid and astonished at all the good deeds and benefits that I will do for them.

Shall the voice of gladness be heard again; the voice of the Bridegroom and of the bride; the voice of them that shall sing, 'Praise the LORD of Hosts, for he is loving and his mercy endureth forever,' and the voice of them that shall offer up gifts in the house of the LORD. For I will restore the captivity of this land, as it was afore, sayeth the LORD.

And in his days Judah shall be safe, and Israel shall dwell without fear. And this is the name that they shall call him: 'The LORD our righteousness.'

"For thus the LORD promiseth: David shall never want one to sit upon the stool of the house of Israel:

For like as the stars of heaven may not be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and of the Levites my ministers."

"Considerest thou not what this people speaketh? 'Two kindreds,' say they, 'had the LORD chosen, and those same two hath he cast away.' For so far is my people come, that they have no hope to come together any more, and to be one people again.

but shalt die in peace. Like as thy forefathers the kings, thy progenitors, were burnt: so shalt thou be burnt also, and in the mourning they shall say, 'Oh, lord.' For thus have I determined, sayeth the LORD.'"

so that every man should let his servant and handmaid go free, Hebrew and Hebrewess, and no Jew to hold his brother as a bond man.

Now as they had consented, even so they were obedient, and let them go free.

But afterward they repented, and took again the servants and the hand maidens, whom they had let go free, and so made them bond again.

For the which cause the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah from the LORD himself, saying,

'When seven years are out, every man shall let his bought servant, a Hebrew go free, if he have served him six years.' But your fathers obeyed me not and hearkened not unto me.

As for you, ye were now turned, and did right before me, in that ye proclaimed, every man to let his neighbour go free, and in that ye made a covenant before me, in the temple that beareth my name.

But yet ye have turned yourselves again, and blasphemed my name, in this: That every man hath required his servant and handmaid again, whom ye had letten go quit and free, and compelled them to serve you again, and to be your bondmen.

Those men will I give into the power of their enemies, and into the hands of them that follow upon their lives. And their dead bodies shall be meat for the fowls of the air, and beasts of the field.

As for Zedekiah the king of Judah and his princes, I will deliver them into the power of their enemies, and of them that desire to slay them, and into the hand of the king of Babylon's host, which now is departed from you.

But they said, "We drink no wine, for Jonadab the

yea, ye shall have no vineyards: but for all your time ye shall dwell in tents, that ye may live long in the land, wherein ye be strangers.'

The words which Jonadab the son of Rechab commanded his sons, that they should drink no wine, are fast and surely kept: for unto this day they drink no wine but obey their father's commandment. But as for me, I have stood up early, I have spoken unto you, and given you earnest warning: and yet have ye not been obedient unto me.

And therefore thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon everyone that dwelleth in Jerusalem, all the trouble that I have devised against them. For I have spoken unto them, but they would not follow: I have called unto them, nevertheless they would give me no answer."

"Take a book, and write therein all the words, that I have spoken to thee, to Israel, to Judah, and to all the people, from the time that I began for to speak unto thee in the reign of Josiah, unto this day.

That when the house of Judah heareth of the plague, which I have devised for them, they may peradventure turn, every man from his wicked way, that I may forgive their offenses and sins."

Peradventure they will pray meekly before the face of LORD, and turn, every one from his wicked way. For great is the wrath and displeasure, that the LORD hath taken against this people."

he went down to the king's palace into the Scribe's chamber, for there all the princes were set: Elishama the Scribe, Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, Elnathan the son of Achbor, Gemariah the son of Shaphan, Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, with all the princes.

Now the king sat in the winter house, for it was in the ninth Month, and there was a good fire before him.

And when Jehudi had read three or four leaves thereof, he cut the book in pieces with a pen knife, and cast it into the fire upon the hearth, until the book was all burnt in the fire upon the hearth.

Nevertheless Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the Priest to the Prophet Jeremiah, saying, "O pray thou unto the LORD our God for us."

Now Jeremiah walked free among the people at that time, and was not put in prison as yet.

Pharaoh's host also was come out of Egypt: which when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem perceived, they departed from thence.

"Thus sayeth the LORD God of Israel: This answer shall ye give to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me for counsel, 'Behold, Pharaoh's host which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into his own land:

but the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, win it, and set fire upon it.

For thus sayeth the LORD: Deceive not your own minds, thinking on this manner, 'Tush, the Chaldeans go now their way from us.' No, they shall not go their way.

For though ye had slain the whole host of the Chaldeans that besiege you, and every one of the slain lay in his tent, yet should they stand up, and set fire upon this city.'"

Now when the Host of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of the Egyptian's army,

Wherefore the princes were angry with Jeremiah, causing him to be beaten, and to be laid in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe. For he was the ruler of the prison.

Then Zedekiah the king sent for him and called him, and asked him quietly in his own house, saying, "Thinkest thou this business, that now is in hand, cometh of the LORD?" Jeremiah answered, "Yea, that it doth: and thou, said he, shalt be delivered in to the king of Babylon's power."

Then Zedekiah the king commanded to put Jeremiah in the fore entry of the prison, and daily to be given him a cake of bread of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city was eaten up. Thus Jeremiah remained in the fore entry of the prison.

"Thus sayeth the LORD: Whoso remaineth in this city shall perish, either with the sword, with hunger or with pestilence: But whoso falleth unto the Chaldeans, shall escape, winning his soul for a prey, and shall live.

For thus sayeth the LORD: This city, no doubt, must be delivered into the power of the king of Babylon, and he also shall win it."

Then said the princes unto the king, "Sir, we beseech you let this man be put to death; For thus he discourageth the hands of the soldiers that be in this city, and the hands of all the people, when he speaketh such words unto them. This man verily laboureth not for peace of the people, but mischief."

Zedekiah the king answered and said, "Lo, he is in your hands, for the king may deny you nothing."

Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that dwelt in the fore entry of the prison. And they let down Jeremiah with cords into a dungeon, where there was no water, but mire.

"My lord the king, whereas these men meddle with Jeremiah the prophet, they do him wrong: Namely, in that they have put him in prison, there to die of hunger for there is no more bread in the city."

So they drew up Jeremiah with cords and took him out of the dungeon, and he remained in the fore entry of the prison.

But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans which shall set fire upon it, and thou shalt not be able to escape them."

And Zedekiah said unto Jeremiah, "I am afraid for the Jews, that are fled unto the Chaldeans, lest I come in their hands, and so they to have me in derision."

Behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah's house shall go out to the king of Babylon's princes. For they think, that thou art deceived: and that the men in whom thou didst put thy trust, have gotten thee under, and set thy feet fast in the mire, and gone their way from thee.

Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him. And he told them, after the manner as the king bade him. Then they held their peace, for they perceived nothing.

So Jeremiah abode still in the fore entry of the prison, until the day that Jerusalem was won.

Now when the city of Jerusalem was taken - for in the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth Month, came Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon and all his Host, and besieged Jerusalem,

As for the remnant of the people that were in the city, and such as were come to help them, whatsoever was left of the common sort, Nebuzaradan the chief captain carried them to Babylon.

So Nebuzaradan the chief captain, Nabushazban the chief chamberlain, Nergalsharezer the treasurer and all the king of Babylon's lords, sent for Jeremiah,

and caused him be let out of the fore entry of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan: that he should carry him home, and so he dwelt among the people.

Now while Jeremiah lay yet bound in the fore entry of the prison, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,

Go and tell Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, 'Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts the God of Israel: Behold, the cruel and sharp plague that I have devised for this city, will I bring upon them, that thou shalt see it:

For doubtless I will save thee, so that thou shalt not perish with the sword: but thy life shall be saved, and that because thou hast put thy trust in me, sayeth the LORD.'"

This is the manner how the LORD intreated Jeremiah, when Nebuzaradan the chief Captain had let him go free from Ramah, whither he had led him bound among all the prisoners, that were carried from Jerusalem and Judah unto Babylon.

The chief Captain called for Jeremiah, and said unto him, "The LORD thy God spake mightily before of the misery upon this place:

Now the LORD hath sent it, and performed it as he had promised. For ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not been obedient to his voice, therefore cometh this plague upon you.

Behold, I loose the binds from thy hands this day: if thou wilt now go with me unto Babylon, up then. For I will see to thee, and provide for thee: But if thou wilt not go with me to Babylon, then remain here. Behold, all the land is at thy will, look where thou thinkest convenient and good for thee to abide, there dwell.

Then said Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Johanan the son of Kareah, "Thou shalt not do it, for they are but lies, that men say of Ishmael."

Among these eighty men there were ten, that said unto Ishmael, "Oh slay us not, for we have yet a great treasure in the field, of wheat, barley, oil and honey." So he spared them, and slew them not with their brethren.

Now the pit wherein Ishmael did cast the dead bodies of the men whom he slew because of Gedaliah, had king Asa caused to be made, for fear of Baasha the king of Israel, and the same pit did Ishmael fill with slain men.

As for the remnant of the people, the king's daughters and all the people that were yet left at Mizphah, upon whom Nebuzaradan the chief Captain had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away prisoners toward the Ammonites.

they took their companions, and went out for to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the waters of Rabim in Gibeon.

And went from thence, and sat them down at Geruth Chimham, which lieth beside Bethlehem, that they might go into Egypt for fear of the Chaldeans:

and said unto Jeremiah the prophet, "O hear our petition, that thou mayest pray for us unto the LORD thy God, and for the remnant, whereof there be very few left of many, as thou seest us:

If ye will dwell in this land, I shall build you up, and not break you down. I shall plant you, and not root you out. For I am pacified, as concerning the trouble that I have done to you.

Fear not the king of Babylon, of whom ye stand in awe: O be not afraid of him, sayeth the LORD: for I will be with you, to help you, and deliver you from his hand.

the sword that ye fear, shall overtake you in Egypt; and the hunger whereof ye be here afraid, shall hang upon you into Egypt and there ye shall die.

For all they, that of set purpose undertake to go into Egypt, there to ease themselves of their misery, shall perish with the sword, with hunger and pestilence. Not one of them shall remain; there shall none escape the plague, that I will bring upon them.

For thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts the God of Israel: Like as my wrath and indignation is come upon the inhabiters of Jerusalem, so shall my displeasure go forth upon you also, if ye go into Egypt: For there ye shall be reviled, abhorred, brought to shame and confusion: and as for this place, ye shall never see it more.

For ye sent me unto the LORD your God and said, 'O pray thou the LORD our God for us: and look what answer the LORD our God giveth thee, that bring us again, and we shall do thereafter.'

Now have I showed, and declared unto you the voice of the LORD your God, for the which cause he hath sent me to you.

Now when Jeremiah had ended all the words of the LORD God unto the people, for their sakes to whom God had sent him,

and so came in to Egypt: for they were not obedient unto the commandment of God. Thus came they to Tahpenes.

"Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the brick wall, under the door of Pharaoh's house in Tahpenes, that all the men of Judah may see,

and say unto them, 'Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts the God of Israel: Behold, I will send and call for Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon my servant, and will set his seat upon these stones that I have hid, and he shall spread his tent over them.

He shall set fire upon the temples of the Egyptian gods, and burn them up, and take themselves prisoners. Moreover, he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, like as a shepherd putteth on his coat, and shall depart his way from thence in peace.

Yet are ye not sorry this day. Ye fear not, neither walk ye in my law and my commandments, that I have given unto you and your forefathers.

As for the remnant of Judah that purposely went into Egypt, there to ease them of their misery: I will take them and they shall all be destroyed. In the land of Egypt shall they perish, being consumed with the sword and with hunger. For from the least unto the most, they shall perish with the sword and with hunger. Moreover, they shall be reviled, abhorred, shamed and confounded.

For I will visit them that dwell in Egypt, as I have visited Jerusalem: with the sword, with hunger and with pestilence.

So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone to dwell in Egypt shall be left to come again into the land of Judah although they think to come thither again, and to dwell there. For none shall come again, but such as are fled away."

"As for the words that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will in no wise hear them:

But whatsoever goeth out of our own mouth, that will we do: We will do sacrifice, and offer oblations unto the Queen of heaven: like as we and our forefathers, our kings and our heads have done in the cities of Judah, and in the streets and fields of Jerusalem. For then had we plenteousness of victuals, then were we in prosperity, and no misfortune came upon us.