“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.” (Jeremiah 40:1-16 AV)