Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
Jeremiah 21
A message for Zedekiah
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to him. They said, “Please inquire of the LORD for us. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war on us. Perhaps the LORD will act for us with all his wonders and make him withdraw.” Jeremiah told them, “This is what you must say to Zedekiah: ‘The LORD, the God of Israel, says: I am turning back the weapons in your hands—the weapons you are using against the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans besieging you outside the wall. I will gather them into the middle of this city. I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a strong arm, in anger, wrath, and great fury. I will strike down the inhabitants of this city, both people and animals. A terrible plague will kill them. After that, declares the LORD, I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his servants, and the people—those left in this city after the plague, the sword, and the famine—to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, to their enemies, to those seeking their lives. He will put them to the sword without sparing them, without pity, without compassion.’
The way of life and the way of death
“Tell this people: ‘The LORD says: Look, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Anyone who stays in this city will die by sword, famine, or plague. Anyone who goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans besieging you will live; that person's own life will be their plunder. For I have set my face against this city for harm, not for good, declares the LORD. It will be handed over to the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down.’
Justice in the royal house
“To the house of the king of Judah: Hear the word of the LORD!
House of David, the LORD says:
Administer justice each morning.
Rescue the one who has been robbed from the oppressor's hand,
or my fury will break out like fire
and burn with no one to put it out
because of your evil deeds.
I am against you,
you who live in the valley, on the rock of the plateau,
declares the LORD—
you who say, ‘Who can come down against us?
Who can enter our homes?’
I will call you to account for the fruit of your deeds,
declares the LORD.
I will set fire to her forest,
and it will consume everything around her.”