Zedekiah’s Request Denied
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord when King Zedekiah sent Pashhur21:1 1Ch 9:12; Neh 11:12; Jr 38:1 son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah21:1 Jr 29:24–29; 37:3; 52:24–27 son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah, asking,
2“Inquire of the Lord on our behalf, since King Nebuchadnezzar21:2 Lit Nebuchadrezzar21:2 2Kg 24:11; 25:22; 2Ch 36:6–13 of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps the Lord will perform for us something like all his past wondrous works so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”
3But Jeremiah answered, “This is what you are to say to Zedekiah:
4‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am about to repel the weapons of war in your hands,21:4 Jr 32:5; 37:8–10 those you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans21:4 = Babylonians who are besieging you outside the wall, and I will bring them into the center of this city.21:4 Is 13:4
5I myself will fight against you21:5 1Sm 4:1–5:12; Lm 2:5 with an outstretched hand and a strong arm,21:5 Dt 5:15; 26:8; 1Kg 8:42; Ps 136:12 with anger, fury, and intense wrath.
6I will strike the residents of this city, both people and animals. They will die in a severe plague.
7Afterward — this is the Lord’s declaration — King Zedekiah of Judah, his officers, and the people — those in this city who survive the plague, the sword, and the famine — I will hand over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,21:7 Jr 37:17; 39:5–9; 52:9 to their enemies, yes, to those who intend to take their lives. He will put them to the sword; he won’t spare them or show pity or compassion.’21:7 2Ch 36:17
A Warning for the People
8“But tell this people, ‘This is what the Lord says: Look, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.21:8 Dt 30:15–19; Pr 12:28; Jr 8:3
11“And to the house of the king of Judah say this: ‘Hear the word of the Lord!
12House of David, this is what the Lord says:
Administer justice every morning,
and rescue the victim of robbery
or my anger will flare up like fire
and burn unquenchably
because of your evil deeds.
you who sit above the valley,
you atop the rocky plateau —
this is the Lord’s declaration —
you who say, “Who can come down against us?21:13 Jr 49:4
Who can enter our hiding places?”
this is the Lord’s declaration.
I will kindle a fire in your forest21:14 Ezk 20:47
that will consume everything around it.’”21:14 Jr 50:32
Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard
Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
