Jeremiah 21:1-7

Christian Standard Bible Anglicised

Zedekiah’s Request Denied

21 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord when King Zedekiah sent Pashhur^(A) son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah^(B) son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah, asking, ² ‘Enquire of the Lord on our behalf, since King Nebuchadnezzar^[a](C) of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps the Lord will perform for us something like all his past wondrous works so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.’

³ But Jeremiah answered, ‘This is what you are to say to Zedekiah: ⁴ “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am about to repel the weapons of war in your hands,^(D) those you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans^[b] who are besieging you outside the wall, and I will bring them into the centre of this city.^{(E) 5} I myself will fight against you^(F) with an outstretched hand and a strong arm,^(G) with anger, fury, and intense wrath. ⁶ I will strike the residents of this city, both people and animals. They will die in a severe plague. ⁷ Afterwards – this is the Lord’s declaration – King Zedekiah of Judah, his officers, and the people – those in this city who survive the plague, the sword, and the famine – I will hand over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,^(H) to their enemies, yes, to those who intend to take their lives. He will put them to the sword; he won’t spare them or show pity or compassion.”^(I)