¹ The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.

² And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.

³ Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.

⁴ And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.

⁵ Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.

⁶ Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.

⁷ Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;

⁸ Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.

⁹ And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

¹⁰ As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.

¹¹ Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;

¹² Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.

¹³ Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,

¹⁴ And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.

¹⁵ Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?

¹⁶ But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.

---

¹ The word ^H1697 that came to Jeremiah ^H3414 from the LORD, ^H3068 after ^H310 that Nebuzaradan ^H5018 the captain ^H7227 of the guard ^H2876 had let him go ^H7971 from Ramah, ^H7414 when he had taken ^H3947 him being bound ^H631 in chains ^H246 among ^H8432 all that were carried away captive ^H1546 of Jerusalem ^H3389 and Judah, ^H3063 which were carried away captive ^H1540 unto Babylon. ^H894

² And the captain ^H7227 of the guard ^H2876 took ^H3947 Jeremiah, ^H3414 and said ^H559 unto him, The LORD ^H3068 thy God ^H430 hath pronounced ^H1696 this evil ^H7451 upon this place. ^H4725

³ Now the LORD ^H3068 hath brought ^H935 it, and done ^H6213 according as he hath said: ^H1696 because ye have sinned ^H2398 against the LORD, ^H3068 and have not obeyed ^H8085 his voice, ^H6963 therefore this thing ^H1697 is come upon you.

⁴ And now, behold, I loose ^H6605 thee this day ^H3117 from the chains ^H246 which were upon thine hand. ^H3027 If it seem good ^{H2896 H5869} unto thee to come ^H935 with me into Babylon, ^H894 come; ^H935 and I will look well ^{H7760 H5869} unto thee: but if it seem ill ^{H7489 H5869} unto thee to come ^H935 with me into Babylon, ^H894 forbear: ^H2308 behold, ^H7200 all the land ^H776 is before ^H6440 thee: whither it seemeth ^H413 good ^H2896 and convenient ^{H3477 H5869} for thee to go, ^H3212 thither go. ^H3212

⁵ Now while he was not yet gone back, ^H7725 he said, Go back ^H7725 also to Gedaliah ^H1436 the son ^H1121 of Ahikam ^H296 the son ^H1121 of Shaphan, ^H8227 whom the king ^H4428 of Babylon ^H894 hath made governor ^H6485 over the cities ^H5892 of Judah, ^H3063 and dwell ^H3427 with him among ^H8432 the people: ^H5971 or go ^H3212 wheresoever it seemeth convenient ^{H3477 H5869} unto thee to go. ^H3212 So the captain ^H7227 of the guard ^H2876 gave ^H5414 him victuals ^H737 and a reward, ^H4864 and let him go. ^H7971

⁶ Then went ^H935 Jeremiah ^H3414 unto Gedaliah ^H1436 the son ^H1121 of Ahikam ^H296 to Mizpah; ^H4708 and dwelt ^H3427 with him among ^H8432 the people ^H5971 that were left ^H7604 in the land. ^H776

⁷ Now when all the captains ^H8269 of the forces ^H2428 which were in the fields, ^H7704 even they and their men, ^H582 heard ^H8085 that the king ^H4428 of Babylon ^H894 had made Gedaliah ^H1436 the son ^H1121 of Ahikam ^H296 governor ^H6485 in the land, ^H776 and had committed ^H6485 unto him men, ^H582 and women, ^H802 and children, ^H2945 and of the poor ^H1803 of the land, ^H776 of them that were not carried away captive ^H1540 to Babylon; ^H894

⁸ Then they came ^H935 to Gedaliah ^H1436 to Mizpah, ^H4708 even Ishmael ^H3458 the son ^H1121 of Nethaniah, ^H5418 and Johanan ^H3110 and Jonathan ^H3129 the sons ^H1121 of Kareah, ^H7143 and Seraiah ^H8304 the son ^H1121 of Tanhumeth, ^H8576 and the sons ^H1121 of Ephai ^H5778 the Netophathite, ^H5200 and Jezaniah ^H3153 the son ^H1121 of a Maachathite, ^H4602 they and their men. ^H582

⁹ And Gedaliah ^H1436 the son ^H1121 of Ahikam ^H296 the son ^H1121 of Shaphan ^H8227 sware ^H7650 unto them and to their men, ^H582 saying, ^H559 Fear ^H3372 not to serve ^H5647 the Chaldeans: ^H3778 dwell in ^H3427 the land, ^H776 and serve ^H5647 the king ^H4428 of Babylon, ^H894 and it shall be well ^H3190 with you.

¹⁰ As for me, behold, I will dwell ^H3427 at Mizpah ^H4709 to serve ^{H5975 H6440} the Chaldeans, ^H3778 which will come ^H935 unto us: but ye, gather ^H622 ye wine, ^H3196 and summer fruits, ^H7019 and oil, ^H8081 and put ^H7760 them in your vessels, ^H3627 and dwell ^H3427 in your cities ^H5892 that ye have taken. ^H8610

¹¹ Likewise when all the Jews ^H3064 that were in Moab, ^H4124 and among the Ammonites, ^H5983 and in Edom, ^H123 and that were in all the countries, ^H776 heard ^H8085 that the king ^H4428 of Babylon ^H894 had left ^H5414 a remnant ^H7611 of Judah, ^H3063 and that he had set ^H6485 over them Gedaliah ^H1436 the son ^H1121 of Ahikam ^H296 the son ^H1121 of Shaphan; ^H8227

¹² Even all the Jews ^H3064 returned out ^H7725 of all places ^H4725 whither they were driven, ^H5080 and came ^H935 to the land ^H776 of Judah, ^H3063 to Gedaliah, ^H1436 unto Mizpah, ^H4708 and gathered ^H622 wine ^H3196 and summer fruits ^H7019 very ^H3966 much. ^H7235

¹³ Moreover Johanan ^H3110 the son ^H1121 of Kareah, ^H7143 and all the captains ^H8269 of the forces ^H2428 that were in the fields, ^H7704 came ^H935 to Gedaliah ^H1436 to Mizpah, ^H4708

¹⁴ And said ^H559 unto him, Dost thou certainly ^H3045 know ^H3045 that Baalis ^H1185 the king ^H4428 of the Ammonites ^{H1121 H5983} hath sent ^H7971 Ishmael ^H3458 the son ^H1121 of Nethaniah ^H5418 to slay ^{H5221 H5315} thee? But Gedaliah ^H1436 the son ^H1121 of Ahikam ^H296 believed ^H539 them not.

¹⁵ Then Johanan ^H3110 the son ^H1121 of Kareah ^H7143 spake ^H559 to Gedaliah ^H1436 in Mizpah ^H4709 secretly, ^H5643 saying, ^H559 Let me go, ^H3212 I pray thee, and I will slay ^H5221 Ishmael ^H3458 the son ^H1121 of Nethaniah, ^H5418 and no man ^H376 shall know ^H3045 it: wherefore should he slay ^{H5221 H5315} thee, that all the Jews ^H3064 which are gathered ^H6908 unto thee should be scattered, ^H6327 and the remnant ^H7611 in Judah ^H3063 perish? ^H6

¹⁶ But Gedaliah ^H1436 the son ^H1121 of Ahikam ^H296 said ^H559 unto Johanan ^H3110 the son ^H1121 of Kareah, ^H7143 Thou shalt not do ^H6213 this thing: ^H1697 for thou speakest ^H1696 falsely ^H8267 of Ishmael. ^H3458

---

¹ The word which came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah, that were carried away captive unto Babylon.

² And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, Jehovah thy God pronounced this evil upon this place;

³ and Jehovah hath brought it, and done according as he spake: because ye have sinned against Jehovah, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.

⁴ And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which are upon thy hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come, and I will look well unto thee; but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee; whither it seemeth good and right unto thee to go, thither go.

⁵ Now while he was not yet gone back, Go back then, `said he', to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people; or go wheresoever it seemeth right unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a present, and let him go.

⁶ Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah, and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.

⁷ Now when all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poorest of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;

⁸ then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, `to wit', Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.

⁹ And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

¹⁰ As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to stand before the Chaldeans that shall come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine and summer fruits and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.

¹¹ Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan;

¹² then all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.

¹³ Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,

¹⁴ and said unto him, Dost thou know that Baalis the king of the children of Ammon hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take thy life? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.

¹⁵ Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he take thy life, that all the Jews that are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant of Judah perish?

¹⁶ But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing; for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.

---

¹ The word that hath been unto Jeremiah from Jehovah, after Nebuzar-Adan, chief of the executioners, hath sent him from Ramah, in his taking him -- and he a prisoner in chains -- in the midst of all the removal of Jerusalem and of Judah, who are removed to Babylon.

² And the chief of the executioners taketh Jeremiah, and saith unto him, `Jehovah thy God hath spoken this evil concerning this place,

³ and Jehovah bringeth `it' in, and doth as He spake, because ye have sinned against Jehovah, and have not hearkened to His voice, even this thing hath been to you.

⁴ `And now, lo, I have loosed thee to-day from the chains that `are' on thy hand; if good in thine eyes to come with me `to' Babylon, come, and I keep mine eye upon thee: and if evil in thine eyes to come with me to Babylon, forbear; see, all the land `is' before thee, whither `it be' good, and whither `it be' right in thine eyes to go -- go.' --

⁵ and while he doth not reply -- `Or turn back unto Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath appointed over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him in the midst of the people, or whithersoever it is right in thine eyes to go -- go.' And the chief of the executioners giveth to him for the way, and a gift, and sendeth him away,

⁶ and Jeremiah cometh in unto Gedaliah son of Ahikam, to Mizpah, and dwelleth with him, in the midst of the people who are left in the land.

⁷ And all the heads of the forces that `are' in the field hear, they and their men, that the king of Babylon hath appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam over the land, and that he hath charged him `with' men, and women, and infants, and of the poor of the land, of those who have not been removed to Babylon;

⁸ and they come in unto Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan sons of Kareah, and Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of the Maachathite, they and their men.

⁹ And swear to them doth Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, and to their men, saying, `Be not afraid of serving the Chaldeans, abide in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it is well for you;

¹⁰ and I, lo, I am dwelling in Mizpah, to stand before the Chaldeans who are come in unto us, and ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruit, and oil, and put in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.'

¹¹ And also all the Jews who `are' in Moab, and among the sons of Ammon, and in Edom, and who `are' in all the lands, have heard that the king of Babylon hath given a remnant to Judah, and that he hath appointed over them Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan,

¹² and all the Jews from all the places whither they have been driven, turn back and enter the land of Judah, unto Gedaliah, to Mizpah, and they gather wine and summer fruit -- very much.

¹³ And Johanan son of Kareah, and all the heads of the forces that `are' in the field, have come in unto Gedaliah to Mizpah,

¹⁴ and they say unto him, `Dost thou really know that Baalis king of the sons of Ammon hath sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to smite thy soul?' And Gedaliah son of Ahikam hath not given to them credence.

¹⁵ And Johanan son of Kareah hath spoken unto Gedaliah in secret, in Mizpah, saying, `Let me go, I pray thee, and I smite Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and no one doth know; why doth he smite thy soul? and scattered have been all Judah who are gathered unto thee, and perished hath the remnant of Judah.'

¹⁶ And Gedaliah son of Ahikam saith unto Johanan son of Kareah, `Thou dost not do this thing, for falsehood thou art speaking concerning Ishmael.'

---

¹ The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, after that Nebuzar-adan the captain of the body-guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him, being bound in chains, among all the captivity of Jerusalem and Judah, that were carried away captive to Babylon.

² And the captain of the body-guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, Jehovah thy God pronounced this evil upon this place,

³ and Jehovah hath brought [it about] and done according as he said; for ye have sinned against Jehovah, and have not hearkened unto his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.

⁴ And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains that are upon thy hand. If it seem good in thy sight to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will keep mine eye upon thee; but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me to Babylon, forbear. See, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and right in thy sight to go, thither go.

⁵ And while he had not yet given answer; [he said,] Yea, go back to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath appointed over the cities of Judah, and abide with him in the midst of the people; or go wheresoever it seemeth right in thy sight to go. And the captain of the body-guard gave him provisions and a present, and let him go.

⁶ And Jeremiah came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah, and abode with him among the people that remained in the land.

⁷ And all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam over the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that had not been carried away captive to Babylon.

⁸ And they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah; even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.

⁹ And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan swore unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

¹⁰ And as for me, behold, I dwell at Mizpah, to stand before the Chaldeans, who will come unto us; and ye, gather wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put [them] in your vessels, and dwell in your cities which ye have taken.

¹¹ Likewise all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon and in Edom, and that were in all the lands, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah, and that he had appointed over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;

¹² and all the Jews returned out of all the places whither they had been driven, and came to the land of Judah to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits in great abundance.

¹³ And Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah unto Mizpah,

¹⁴ and said unto him, Dost thou indeed know that Baalis the king of the children of Ammon hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to smite thee to death? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.

¹⁵ And Johanan the son of Kareah spoke to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will smite Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and no man shall know it: why should he take thy life, and all they of Judah who are gathered unto thee be scattered, and the remnant of Judah perish?

¹⁶ But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing; for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.

---

¹ The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah, who were carried away captive to Babylon.

² The captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said to him, Yahweh your God pronounced this evil on this place;

³ and Yahweh has brought it, and done according as he spoke: because you have sinned against Yahweh, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come on you.

⁴ Now, behold, I loose you this day from the chains which are on your hand. If it seem good to you to come with me into Babylon, come, and I will look well to you; but if it seem ill to you to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before you; where it seems good and right to you to go, there go.

⁵ Now while he was not yet gone back, Go back then, [said he], to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people; or go wherever it seems right to you to go. So the captain of the guard gave him food and a present, and let him go.

⁶ Then went Jeremiah to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah, and lived with him among the people who were left in the land.

⁷ Now when all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed to him men, and women, and children, and of the poorest of the land, of those who were not carried away captive to Babylon;

⁸ then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, [to wit], Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.

⁹ Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan swore to them and to their men, saying, Don't be afraid to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

¹⁰ As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to stand before the Chaldeans who shall come to us: but you, gather you wine and summer fruits and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that you have taken.

¹¹ Likewise when all the Jews who were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, and in Edom, and who were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan;

¹² then all the Jews returned out of all places where they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, to Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.

¹³ Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,

¹⁴ and said to him, Do you know that Baalis the king of the children of Ammon has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take your life? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam didn't believe them.

¹⁵ Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Please let me go, and I will kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: why should he take your life, that all the Jews who are gathered to you should be scattered, and the remnant of Judah perish?

¹⁶ But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, You shall not do this thing; for you speak falsely of Ishmael.

---

¹ The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, after Nebuzaradan, the captain of the armed men, had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him; for he had been put in chains, among all the prisoners of Jerusalem and Judah who were taken away prisoners to Babylon.

² And the captain of the armed men took Jeremiah and said to him, The Lord your God gave word of the evil which was to come on this place:

³ *** and the Lord has made it come, and has done as he said; because of your sin against the Lord in not giving ear to his voice; and that is why this thing has come on you.

⁴ Now see, this day I am freeing you from the chains which are on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, then come, and I will keep an eye on you; but if it does not seem good to you to come with me to Babylon, then do not come: see, all the land is before you; if it seems good and right to you to go on living in the land,

⁵ Then go back to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made ruler over the towns of Judah, and make your living-place with him among the people; or go wherever it seems right to you to go. So the captain of the armed men gave him food and some money and let him go.

⁶ So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, in Mizpah, and was living with him among the people who were still in the land.

⁷ Now when it came to the ears of all the captains of the forces who were in the field, and their men, that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, ruler in the land, and had put under his care the men and women and children, all the poorest of the land, those who had not been taken away to Babylon;

⁸ Then they came to Gedaliah in Mizpah, even Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan, the son of Kareah, and Seraiah, the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah, the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.

⁹ And Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, took an oath to them and their men, saying, Have no fear of the servants of the Chaldaeans: go on living in the land, and become the servants of the king of Babylon, and all will be well.

¹⁰ As for me, I will be living in Mizpah as your representative before the Chaldaeans who come to us: but you are to get in your wine and summer fruits and oil and put them in your vessels, and make living-places for yourselves in the towns which you have taken.

¹¹ In the same way, when all the Jews who were in Moab and among the children of Ammon and in Edom and in all the countries, had news that the king of Babylon had let Judah keep some of its people and that he had put over them Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan;

¹² Then all the Jews came back from all the places to which they had gone in flight, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, to Mizpah, and got in a great store of wine and summer fruit.

¹³ Now Johanan, the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which were in the field, came to Gedaliah in Mizpah,

¹⁴ And said to him, Has it come to your knowledge that Baalis, the king of the children of Ammon, has sent Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, to take your life? But Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, put no faith in what they said.

¹⁵ Then Johanan, the son of Kareah, said to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, Let me now go and put Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, to death without anyone's knowledge: why let him take your life so that all the Jews who have come together to you may be sent in flight, and the rest of the men of Judah come to an end?

¹⁶ But Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, said to Johanan, the son of Kareah, You are not to do this: for what you say about Ishmael is false.