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Jeremiah

Warnings about Jerusalem's destruction due to unfaithfulness, with promises of a new covenant.

Chapter 39

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1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.

*In the 9th year of King Zedekiah of Judah, during the 10th month, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon arrived with his entire army to attack Jerusalem. They surrounded the city and didn't let anyone in or out.

2 And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.

*In the 11th year of Zedekiah, during the fourth month on the ninth day, the city was destroyed.

3 And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.

*All the important leaders of Babylon's king entered and sat at the central gate. This included Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer (again), Rabmag, along with all the other high-ranking leaders of Babylon's king.

4 And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.

*Then, when Zedekiah, king of Judah, saw them and his army, they panicked and left the city at night through the king's garden gate, between the two walls, following the path by the plain.

5 But the Chaldeans’ army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.

*But the Chaldean soldiers chased after them and caught up with Zedekiah in the Jericho plains. When they captured him, they took him to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, in Riblah, a place in Hamath's land. There, he judged and punished Zedekiah.

6 Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.

*Then the king of Babylon killed Zedekiah's sons in Riblah while he watched. He also killed all important people from Judah.

7 Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.

*He blinded Zedekiah and tied him up to take him to Babylon.

8 And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.

*The Chaldeans set fire to the king's home and the people's homes, destroying them. They also broke down the walls around Jerusalem.

9 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.

*Then Nebuzaradan, the leader of the guards, took the remaining people in the city to live in Babylon. He also got others who had stopped supporting their city, along with the rest of the people still there.

10 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

*But Nebuzaradan, the leader of the guards, allowed some poor people in Judah to keep their vineyards and fields.

11 Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,

*Now, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon instructed Nebuzaradan, the head guard, about Jeremiah, saying,

12 Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.

*"Take him and watch over him, but don't hurt him. Do to him whatever he tells you to."

13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon’s princes;

*Nebuzaradan, the leader of the guards, sent Nebushasban, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and other important people from the king of Babylon's court.

14 Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.

*They sent people to get Jeremiah from jail's courtyard and gave him to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, who took him home. He lived with the people there.

15 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

*Now, God spoke to Jeremiah when he was in the prison yard, saying,

16 Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.

*"Talk to Ebedmelech, the Ethiopian man, like this: The powerful God of Israel says, 'I will make my words happen to this city for bad things, not good. This will happen when you're watching.'"

17 But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.

*But I will save you on that day, says the Lord, and you won't be handed over to those you fear.

18 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.

*I will definitely save you, and you won't be hurt by a sword, but your life will be safe and you can enjoy it; because you trusted me, says the Lord.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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