Jerusalem falls to Babylon. Zedekiah is captured, his sons killed and he is blinded. Jeremiah is released by Nebuchadnezzar's orders, and God promises to save Ebed-melech.
1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah , in the tenth month , came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem , and they besieged it.
2 And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah , in the fourth month , the ninth day of the month , the city was broken up .
3 And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in , and sat in the middle gate , even Nergalsharezer , Samgarnebo , Sarsechim , Rabsaris , Nergalsharezer , Rabmag , with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon .
4 And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war , then they fled , and went forth out of the city by night , by the way of the king's garden , by the gate betwixt the two walls : and he went out the way of the plain .
5 But the Chaldeans ' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho : and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath , where he gave judgment upon him.
6 Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes : also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah .
7 Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes , and bound him with chains , to carry him to Babylon .
8 And the Chaldeans burned the king's house , and the houses of the people , with fire , and brake down the walls of Jerusalem .
9 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city , and those that fell away , that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained .
10 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people , which had nothing , in the land of Judah , and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time .
11 Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard , saying ,
12 Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm ; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.
13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent , and Nebushasban , Rabsaris , and Nergalsharezer , Rabmag , and all the king of Babylon's princes ;
14 Even they sent , and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison , and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan , that he should carry him home : so he dwelt among the people .
15 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah , while he was shut up in the court of the prison , saying ,
16 Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian , saying , Thus saith the LORD of hosts , the God of Israel ; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil , and not for good ; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.
17 But I will deliver thee in that day , saith the LORD : and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid .
18 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword , but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD .