Jeremiah 21

God Rejects Zedekiah’s Request

The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord when King Zedekiah^a sent to him Pashhur^b son of Malkijah and the priest Zephaniah^c son of Maaseiah. They said: “Inquire^d now of the Lord for us because Nebuchadnezzar^e king of Babylon^f is attacking us. Perhaps the Lord will perform wonders^g for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us.”

But Jeremiah answered them, “Tell Zedekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn^h 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 besiegingⁱ you. And I will gather them inside this city. I myself will fight^j against you with an outstretched hand^k and a mighty arm^l in furious anger and in great wrath. I will strike^m down those who live in this city—both people and animals—and they will die of a terrible plague.ⁿ After that, declares the Lord, I will give Zedekiah^o king of Judah, his officials and the people in this city who survive the plague,^p sword and famine, into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon^q and to their enemies^r who seek their lives.^s He will put them to the sword;^t he will show them no mercy or pity or compassion.’^u

“Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life^v and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague.^w But whoever goes out and surrenders^x to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives.^y I have determined to do this city harm^z and not good, declares the Lord. It will be given into the hands^a of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.’^b

“Moreover, say to the royal house^c of Judah, ‘Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says to you, house of David:

“ ‘Administer justice^d every morning;

rescue from the hands of their oppressors^e

those who have been robbed,

or my wrath will break out and burn like fire^f

because of the evil^g you have done—

burn with no one to quench^h it.

I am againstⁱ you, Jerusalem,

you who live above this valley^j

on the rocky plateau, declares the Lord—

you who say, “Who can come against us?

Who can enter our refuge?”^k

I will punish you as your deeds^l deserve,

declares the Lord.

I will kindle a fire^m in your forestsⁿ

that will consume everything around you.’ ”