This is the word that came to Jeremiah - from the LORD when King Zedekiah - sent to him Pashhur son of Malchijah - and the priest Zephaniah - son of Maaseiah. They said ,
“ Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf , - since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon 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.”
But Jeremiah - answered - , “ You are to tell ... Zedekiah that
this is what the LORD , the God of Israel , ... says : ‘ I will turn against you the weapons of war in your hands , with which you are fighting - the king of Babylon ... and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the wall , and I will assemble (their forces) in the center of this city.
And I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm , with anger , fury , and great wrath.
I will strike down - the residents of this - city , both man - and beast. They will die in a terrible plague. ’
‘ After that ... , ’ declares the LORD , ‘ I will hand over - Zedekiah king of Judah , - his officers , - and the people - in this ... city who survive the plague ... and sword ... and famine , to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies ... who seek their lives. He will put them vvv to the sword ; he will not spare them (or) show pity (or) compassion.’
Furthermore, you are to tell ... this people that this is what the LORD says : ‘ Behold , I set before you the way of life - and the way of death.
Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague , but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who besiege you will live ; he will retain life like a spoil of war.
For I have set My face against this city to bring disaster and not good , declares the LORD. It will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon , who will destroy it with fire.’
Moreover, (tell) the house of the king of Judah to hear the word of the LORD.
O house of David , this is what the LORD 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.
Behold , I am against you who dwell above the valley , atop the rocky plateau — declares the LORD — you who say , “ Who can come against us ? Who can enter our dwellings ?”
I will punish you as your deeds deserve ... , declares the LORD. I will kindle a fire in your forest that will consume everything around you. ’”