Jeremiah 39

1In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem and besieged it.

2In Zedekiah's eleventh year, in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, the city was breached.

3All the commanders of the king of Babylon came and sat at the middle gate—Nergal-Sharezer, Samgar-Nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-Sharezer, Rab-mag—together with all the rest of the commanders of the king of Babylon.

4When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, they fled and went out of the city by night by way of the king's garden, through the gate between the two walls; and he went out toward the Arabah.

5Chaldean forces pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he passed judgment on him.

6The king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah's sons in Riblah before his eyes, and the king of Babylon slaughtered all Judah's nobles.

7He put out Zedekiah's eyes and bound him in bronze fetters to bring him to Babylon.

8The Chaldeans burned the king's house and the houses of the people with fire, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.

9Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard deported to Babylon the rest of the people who remained in the city, the deserters who had defected to him, and the rest of the people who remained.

10Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left some of the poor among the people, who had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields that day.

11Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, commanded Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, concerning Jeremiah, saying,

12Take him, keep a watchful eye on him, and do him no harm; but do with him whatever he tells you.

13Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer Rab-mag, and all the captains of the king of Babylon.

14They sent and took Jeremiah out from the prison courtyard and gave him to Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan to bring him home, and he lived among the people.

15The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah while he was confined in the prison courtyard, saying,

16Go and say to Ebed-melech the Cushite: Thus says Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing my words upon this city for harm and not for good, and they will take place before you on that day.

17I will deliver you on that day, declares Yahweh, and you will not be given into the hands of the men you fear.

18For I will surely deliver you, and you will not fall by the sword, but your life will be to you as spoil, because you trusted in me, says Yahweh.