Jeremiah with Gedaliah the Governor

40 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord aafter Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him bound in chains among all who were carried away captive from Jerusalem and Judah, who were carried away captive to Babylon.

2 And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah and bsaid to him: “The Lord your God has pronounced this doom on this place. 3 Now the Lord has brought it, and has done just as He said. cBecause you people have sinned against the Lord, and not obeyed His voice, therefore this thing has come upon you. 4 And now look, I free you this day from the chains that 1were on your hand. dIf it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you. But if it seems wrong for you to come with me to Babylon, remain here. See, eall the land is before you; wherever it seems good and convenient for you to go, go there.”

5 Now while Jeremiah had not yet gone back, Nebuzaradan said, “Go back to fGedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, gwhom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people. Or go wherever it seems convenient for you to go.” So the captain of the guard gave him rations and a gift and let him go. 6 hThen Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, to iMizpah, and dwelt with him among the people who were left in the land.