Jeremiah - Chapter 40

Jeremiah · Chapter 40

1Verse 1. The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, after that Nabuzardan the general had let him go from Rama, when he had taken him, being bound with chains, among all them that were carried away from Jerusalem and Juda, and were carried to Babylon. 2Verse 2. And the general of the army taking Jeremiah, said to him: The Lord your God has pronounced this evil upon this place, 3Verse 3. And he has brought it: and the Lord has done as he has said: because you have sinned against the Lord, and have not hearkened to his voice, and this word is come upon you. 4Verse 4. Now then behold I have loosed you this day from the chains which were upon your hands: if it please you to come with me to Babylon, come: and I will set my eyes upon you: but if it do not please you to come with me to Babylon, stay here: behold all the land is before you, as you shall choose, and where it shall please you to go, there go. 5Verse 5. And come not with me: but dwell with Godolias the son of Ahicam the son of Saphan, whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Juda: dwell therefore with him in the midst of the people: or whithersoever it shall please you to go, go. And the general of the army gave him victuals and presents, and let him go. 6Verse 6. And Jeremiah went to Godolias the son of Ahicam to Masphath: and dwelt with him in the midst of the people that were left in the land. 7Verse 7. And when all the captains of the army that were scattered through the countries, they and their companions, had heard that the king of Babylon had made Godolias the son of Ahicam governor of the country, and that he had committed to him men and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, them that had not been carried away captive to Babylon: 8Verse 8. They came to Godolias to Masphath: and Ismahel the son of Nathanias, and Johanan, and Jonathan, the sons of Caree, and Sareas the son of Thanehumeth, and the children of Ophi, that were of Netophathi, and Jezonias the son of Maachati, they and their men. 9Verse 9. And Godolias the son of Ahicam the son of Saphan swore to them and to their companions, saying: Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you. 10Verse 10. Behold I dwell in Masphath, that I may answer the commandment of the Chaldeans that are sent to us: but as for you, gather you the vintage, and the harvest, and the oil, and lay it up in your vessels, and abide in your cities which you hold. 11Verse 11. Moreover all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, and in Edom, and in all the countries, when they heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judea, and that he had made Godolias the son of Ahicam the son of Saphan ruler over them: 12Verse 12. All the Jews, I say, returned out of all the places to which they had fled, and they came into the land of Juda to Godolias to Masphath: and they gathered wine, and a very great harvest. 13Verse 13. Then Johanan the son of Caree, and all the captains of the army, that had been scattered about in the countries, came to Godolias to Masphath. 14Verse 14. And they said to him: Know that Baalis the king of the children of Ammon has sent Ismahel the son of Nathanias to kill you. And Godolias the son of Ahicam believed them not. 15Verse 15. But Johanan the son of Caree, spoke to Godolias privately in Masphath, saying: I will go, and I will kill Ismahel the son of Nathanias, and no one shall know it, lest he kill you, and all the Jews be scattered, that are gathered to you, and the remnant of Juda perish. 16Verse 16. And Godolias the son of Ahicam said to Johanan the son of Caree: Do not this thing: for what you say of Ismahel is false.