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

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

3 And all the officers of the king of Babylon went in, and sat at the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, chief eunuch, Nergalsharezer, chief magician, with all the rest of the officers of the king of Babylon.

4 And when Zedekiah the king of Judah, and all the soldiers saw them, they fled, and left the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls: and he went out toward the valley of the Jordan.

5 But the Chaldean army pursued them, and overtook Zedekiah on the plains of Jericho: and when they had captured him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced sentence upon him.

6 Then the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah at Riblah as he watched: and the king of Babylon also killed all the leading men of Judah.

7 He also put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with chains, to take him to Babylon.

8 And the Chaldeans burned the king’s palace, and the people’s homes, with fire, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.

9 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took away captive to Babylon the rest of the people who remained in the city, and the deserters who had surrendered to him, along with the rest of the people who remained.

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

11 ¶ Now Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon gave Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard an order concerning Jeremiah, saying,

12 Take him, and look after him, and do not hurt him; but deal with him as he requests.

13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, Nebushasban, chief eunuch, Nergalsharezer, chief fortune-teller, and all the king of Babylon’s officers;

14 Who took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and handed him over to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, to take him home: so he stayed among the people.

15 Now the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, while he was held in the court of the prison, saying,

16 Go to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, and say, The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel says this; Know that when I do what I said I would to this city, for evil and not for good; you will see it done on that day.

17 But I will save you on that day, says the LORD: and you will not be delivered into the hands of the men you dread.

18 Because I will surely deliver you, and you will not fall by the sword, but you will escape with your life: because you have put your trust in me, says the LORD.