Jerusalem Will Fall to Babylon

1This is the word that came to Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed) from the LORD {YHWH} when King Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous) sent to him Pashhur (freedom) son of Malchijah (my king is YHWH) and the priest Zephaniah (YHWH has treasured) son of Maaseiah (work of YHWH). They said, 2“Please inquire of the LORD {YHWH} on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar \Nebuchadrezzar/a king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”

3But Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed) answered, “You⁺ are to tell Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous) that 4this is what the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), says: ‘I will turn against you the weapons of war in your⁺ hands, with which you⁺ are fighting the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) and the Chaldeans (the Babylonians)b who besiege you⁺ outside the wall, and I will assemble their forces in the center of this city. 5And I Myself will fight against you⁺ with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm, with anger, fury, and great wrath. 6I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a terrible plague.’

7‘After that,’ declares the LORD {YHWH}, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous) king of Judah (praised), his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar (may Nebo protect the crown) king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’

8Furthermore, you are to tell this people that this is what the LORD {YHWH} says: ‘Behold, I set before you⁺ the way of life and the way of death. 9Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans (clod-breakers) who besiege you⁺ will live; he will retain his life like a spoil of war. 10For I have set My face against this city to bring disaster and not good, declares the LORD {YHWH}. It will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing), who will destroy it with fire.’

A Message to the House of David

11Moreover, tell the house of the king of Judah (praised) to hear the word of the LORD {YHWH}. 12O house of David (beloved), this is what the LORD {YHWH} says:

‘Administer justice every morning,

and rescue the victim of robbery

from the hand of his oppressor,

or My wrath will go forth like fire

and burn with no one to extinguish it

because of their evil deeds.

13Behold, I am against you who dwell above the valley,

atop the rocky plateau—

declares the LORD {YHWH}—

you who say, “Who can come against us?

Who can enter our dwellings?”

14I will punish you⁺ as your⁺ deeds deserve,

declares the LORD {YHWH}.

I will kindle a fire in your forest

that will consume everything around you.’”