Jeremiah 21

Jeremiah’s Message to King Zedekiah

1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent Pashhur son of Malchijah and Zephaniah the priest to him, saying,

2 “Inquire of the LORD for us, because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the LORD will perform a miracle for us, as He has done before, and make him withdraw.”

3 Jeremiah answered them, “Tell Zedekiah this?”

4 “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, the ones you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who are besieging you outside the walls. I will gather them inside this city.”

5 “I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm, in anger, fury, and great wrath.”

6 “I will strike down those living in this city, both people and animals, and they will die from a terrible plague.”

7 “Afterward,” declares the LORD, “I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials, and the survivors in this city, those who escape the plague, sword, and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will show no pity, no mercy, no compassion.”

The Way of Life and the Way of Death

8 “Tell the people: This is what the LORD says, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.”

9 “Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live, he will escape with his life.”

10 “For I have set My face against this city for evil and not for good,” declares the LORD. “It will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it with fire.”

A Message to the Royal House of Judah

11 “Concerning the house of the king of Judah, hear the word of the LORD.”

12 “House of David, this is what the LORD says: Administer justice every morning. Rescue the oppressed from the hand of the oppressor, Or My wrath will break out like fire, A fire no one can quench, Because of the evil you have done.”

13 “I am against you, Jerusalem, You who live above the valley on the rocky plateau,” declares the LORD. “You say, ‘Who can come against us, Who can enter our refuge?’”

14 “I will punish you according to what your deeds deserve,” declares the LORD. “I will kindle a fire in your forests that will consume everything around you.”