Jeremiah 39

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 In 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.	1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah, the king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem, with his entire army, and they besieged it.
2 In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, a breach was made in the city wall.	2 Then, in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the fifth of the month, the city was opened.
3 The 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 . . .	3 And all the rulers of the king of Babylon entered and were seated at the middle gate: Nergal-Sharezer, the priest of Nebo, Sarsechim, the chief eunuch, Nergal-Sharezer, the chief magi, and all the other rulers of the king of Babylon.
4 On 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.	4 And when Zedekiah, the king of Judah, with all the men of war, had seen them, they fled. And they departed from the city at night, by way of the king’s garden, and through the gate which was between the two walls. And they departed along the way of the desert.
5 But 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.	5 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them. And they overtook Zedekiah in the plain of the desert of Jericho. And having captured him, they led him to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, at Riblah, which is in the land of Hamath. And he declared a judgment against him
6 The 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.	6 And the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah, at Riblah, before his eyes. And the king of Babylon killed all the nobles of Judah.
7 He then put out Zedekiah's eyes and, loading him with chains, carried him off to Babylon.	7 Also, he plucked out the eyes of Zedekiah. And he bound him with fetters, to be led away to Babylon.
8 The Chaldaeans burnt down the royal palace and the private houses, and demolished the wal s ofJerusalem.	8 Also, the Chaldeans burned the house of the king and the house of the people with fire, and they overturned the wall of Jerusalem.
9 Nebuzaradan 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.	9 And Nebuzaradan, the leader of the military, carried away captive to Babylon the remnant of the people who had remained in the city, and the fugitives who had fled to him, and all the rest of the people who had remained.
10 But 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.	10 And Nebuzaradan, the leader of the military, released some of the poor people, those who had almost nothing, into the land of Judah. And he gave them vineyards and cisterns in that day.
11 With regard to Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given the fol owing orders toNebuzaradan, commander of the guard,	11 Now Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, had instructed Nebuzaradan, the leader of the military, about Jeremiah, saying:
12 'Take him, look after him; do him no harm, but treat him as he may ask you.'	12 “Take him, and set your eyes on him, and you shall do no harm to him at all. But as he is willing, so shall you do with him.”
13 He 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.	13 Therefore, Nebuzaradan, the leader of the military, sent, and Nebushazban, the chief eunuch, and Nergal-Sharezer, the chief magi, and all the nobles of the king of Babylon sent,
14 These 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.	14 and they took Jeremiah from the vestibule of the prison, and they delivered him to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, so that he could enter a house and live among the people.
15 While Jeremiah was confined in the Court of the Guard, the word of Yahweh came to him as follows,	15 But the word of the Lord had come to Jeremiah, when he had been confined to the vestibule of the prison, saying: “Go, and speak to Ebedmelech, the Ethiopian, saying:
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.	16 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring my words over this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be in your sight in that day.
17 But I shal rescue you that day, Yahweh declares, and you will not be handed over to the hands of themen you fear.	17 And I will free you in that day, says the Lord. And you will not be delivered into the hands of the men whom you dread.
18 Yes, 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."	18 But when delivering, I will free you. And you will not fall by the sword. Instead, your life will be saved for you, because you had faith in me, says the Lord.”