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Giovedi, 28 marzo 2024 - San Castore di Tarso ( Letture di oggi)

Jeremiah 39


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1In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylonadvanced on Jerusalem with his entire army, and they laid siege to it.2In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, a breach was made in the city wall.3The king of Babylon's officials, al having made their entry, took their seats in the Middle Gate: Nergal-Sharezer, Samgar-Nebo, Sar-Sechim a high dignitary of state, Nergal-Sharezer the chief astrologer, and al theking of Babylon's other officials . . .4On seeing them, Zedekiah king of Judah and al the fighting men fled, leaving the city under cover ofdark, by way of the king's garden through the gate between the two walls, and made their way towards theArabah.5But the Chaldaean troops pursued them and caught up with Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. Theycaptured him and took him to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the territory of Hamath, where hepassed sentence on him.6The king of Babylon had Zedekiah's sons slaughtered before his eyes at Riblah; the king of Babylonalso had al the leading men of Judah put to death.7He then put out Zedekiah's eyes and, loading him with chains, carried him off to Babylon.8The Chaldaeans burnt down the royal palace and the private houses, and demolished the wal s ofJerusalem.9Nebuzaradan commander of the guard deported the remainder of the population left behind in the city,the deserters who had gone over to him, and the rest of the artisans to Babylon.10But Nebuzaradan commander of the guard left some of the poor people behind in the country ofJudah, those who had nothing, at the same time giving them vineyards and fields.11With regard to Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given the fol owing orders toNebuzaradan, commander of the guard,12'Take him, look after him; do him no harm, but treat him as he may ask you.'13He entrusted this mission to (Nebuzaradan commander of the guard,) Nebushazban the high dignitaryof state, Nergal-Sharezer the chief astrologer and al the king of Babylon's other officials.14These despatched men to take Jeremiah from the Court of the Guard and turned him over toGedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan for safe conduct home. So he remained among the people.15While Jeremiah was confined in the Court of the Guard, the word of Yahweh came to him as follows,16'Go and say to Ebed-Melech the Cushite, "Yahweh, God of Israel says this: Look, I am about toperform my words about this city for its ruin and not for its prosperity. That day they will come true before youreyes.17But I shal rescue you that day, Yahweh declares, and you will not be handed over to the hands of themen you fear.18Yes, I shal certainly rescue you: you wil not fall to the sword; you wil escape with your life, becauseyou have put your trust in me, Yahweh declares."