God Rejects Zedekiah's Request
1 The word came to Jeremiah from the LORD when
King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malkijah and
the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said:
2 "Inquire now of the LORD for us because
Nebuchdnezzar king of Babylon is attacking us.
Perhaps the LORD will perform wonders for us as in
times past so that he will withdraw from us."
3 But Jeremiah answered them, "Tell Zedekiah, 4 'This
is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I am about to
turn against you the weapons of war that are in your
hands, which you are using to fight the king of Babylon
and the Babylonians who are outside the wall besieging you.
And I will gather them inside this city. 5 I myself will fight
against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm in
furious anger and in great wrath. 6 I will strike down those
who live in this city--both man and beast--and they will die
of a terrible plague. 7 After that, declares the LORD, I will
give Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the people in
this city who survive the plague, sword and famine, into the
hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their
enemies who want to kill them. He will put them to the
sword; he will show them no mercy or pity or compassion.'
8 "Furthermore, tell the people, 'This is what the LORD
says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and
the way of death. 9 Whoever stays in this city will die
by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out
and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging
you will live; they will escape with their lives. 10 I have
determined to do this city harm and not good, declares
the LORD. It will be given into the hands of the king of
Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.'
11 "Moreover, say to the royal house of Judah, 'Hear
the word of the LORD. 12 This is what the LORD says to
you, house of David:
" ' Administer justice every morning;
rescue from the hand of the oppressor
the one who has been robbed,
or my wrath will break out and burn like fire
because of the evil you have done--
burn with no one to quench it.
13 I am against you, Jerusalem,
you who live above this valley
on the rocky plateau, declares the LORD--
you who say, "Who can come against us?
Who can enter our refuge?"
14 I will punish you as your deeds deserve,
declares the LORD.
I will kindle a fire in your forests
that will consume everything around you.' "