Jeremiah 21:4–10

⁴‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn^v against you the weapons of war that are in your hands, which you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Babylonians^b who are outside the wall besieging^w you. And I will gather them inside this city. ⁵I myself will fight^x against you with an outstretched hand^y and a mighty arm^z in furious anger and in great wrath. ⁶I will strike^a down those who live in this city—both man and beast—and they will die of a terrible plague.^{b 7}After that, declares the Lord, I will give Zedekiah^c king of Judah, his officials and the people in this city who survive the plague,^d sword and famine, into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon^e and to their enemies^f who want to kill them.^g He will put them to the sword;^h he will show them no mercy or pity or compassion.’ⁱ

⁸“Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life^j and the way of death. ⁹Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague.^k But whoever goes out and surrenders^l to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives.^{m 10}I have determined to do this city harmⁿ and not good, declares the Lord. It will be given into the hands^o of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.’^p