This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah, asking,
“I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a strong arm, with anger, fury, and intense wrath.
“I will strike the residents of this city, both people and animals. They will die in a severe plague.
“Afterward — 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, 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.’
“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.
“Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live and will retain his life like the spoils of war.
“For I have set my face against this city to bring disaster and not good — this is the LORD’s declaration. It will be handed over to the king of Babylon, who will burn it.’
“House of David, this is what the LORD says:
Administer justice every morning,
and rescue the victim of robbery
from his oppressor,
or my anger will flare up like fire
and burn unquenchably
because of your evil deeds.
“Beware! I am against you,
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?
Who can enter our hiding places? ”
Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017, 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers.
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