Jeremiah 26

Jeremiah Speaks in the Temple

1In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the LORD, saying, 2“Thus says the LORD: Stand in the court of the house of the LORD and speak to all the cities of Judah who come to worship in the house of the LORD all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not hold back a word. 3Perhaps they will listen and turn, each from his evil way, so that I may relent concerning the harm that I intend to do to them because of the evil of their deeds. 4You shall say to them: Thus says the LORD: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my instruction that I have set before you, 5to listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you, rising early and sending them, though you have not listened, 6then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.”

Priests and Prophets Seize Jeremiah

7The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD. 8When Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests, the prophets, and all the people seized him, saying, “You shall surely die! 9Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘This house will become like Shiloh, and this city will be desolate, without inhabitant’?” And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. 10When the officials of Judah heard these things, they went up from the king’s house to the house of the LORD and sat at the entrance of the New Gate of the LORD’s house.

Jeremiah Is Put on Trial

11Then the priests and the prophets spoke to the officials and to all the people, saying, “A sentence of death belongs to this man, for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” 12Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and to all the people, saying, “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard. 13Now therefore make your ways and your deeds good, and listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and the LORD will relent concerning the harm that he has spoken against you. 14But as for me, look, I am in your hand. Do with me as is good and right in your eyes. 15Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves, upon this city, and upon its inhabitants, for in truth the LORD sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.”

The Officials Defend Jeremiah

16Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “There is no sentence of death for this man, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.” 17Some of the elders of the land rose and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying, 18“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and spoke to all the people of Judah, saying:

‘Thus says the LORD of Hosts:

Zion will be plowed like a field,
Jerusalem will become heaps of ruins,
and the mountain of the house
a wooded height.’ 19Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and seek the favor of the LORD, and did the LORD not relent concerning the harm he had spoken against them? But we are about to bring great harm upon ourselves.”

Uriah Is Killed

20There was also a man who prophesied in the name of the LORD, Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-Jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah. 21When King Jehoiakim, all his warriors, and all the officials heard his words, the king sought to put him to death. But Uriah heard and was afraid and fled and went to Egypt. 22Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor and men with him to Egypt. 23They brought Uriah out from Egypt and brought him to King Jehoiakim, who struck him with the sword and threw his dead body into the burial place of the common people. 24But the hand of Ahikam son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah so that he was not given into the hand of the people to put him to death.