1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Lord} after Nebuzaradan, chief of the guards, had sent him from Ramah—when he was bound in chains—among the exiles {galut: forced dispersion} of Jerusalem and Judah to Babylon.
2 And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God {YHWH Elohecha, Righteous Judge} has spoken this evil {hara’ah: disaster, judgment} against this place.”
3 And the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Enforcer} has brought it to pass and has acted just as He spoke. Because you have sinned against the LORD and have not listened to His voice {kol: authoritative command}, this thing has happened to you.
4 And now, behold, I have released you today from the chains {azikim: iron fetters} that are upon your hand. If it is good in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will set my eye {ayin: watchful attention} upon you. But if it is evil in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, refrain. Look, all the land is before you; go to what is good and to what is right in your eyes.
5 But since Jeremiah had not yet departed, Nebuzaradan said, “Return to Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people, or go wherever seems right in your eyes to go.” Then the captain of the guard {rav tabbachim: chief officer} gave him a meal and a gift {maseet: goodwill offering}, and sent him away.
6 And Jeremiah went to Gedaliah {gedalyah: appointed governor} the son of Ahikam at Mizpah {mispatah: watchtower}, and he stayed with him among the people who were left in the land.
7 And all the commanders of the soldiers who were in the field {sadeh: open country}—they and their men—heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah {Gedalyahu: Babylonian-appointed governor}, son of Ahikam, over the land and had entrusted to him men, women, children, and from the poorest of the land those who had not been carried into exile to Babylon.
8 And they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah {mitṣpāh: watchtower fortress}, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite {netophathi: Netophah native}, and Jezaniah son of the Maacathite—they and their men.
9 And Gedaliah {gedalyahu: Babylonian-appointed governor} son of Ahikam son of Shaphan swore {vayishavaʿ: solemn vow} to them and to their men, saying, “Do not fear serving the Chaldeans; dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well for you.”
10 But as for me, behold, I am dwelling at Mizpah {bammizpah: strategic lookout} to stand before the Chaldeans who will come to us. But you, gather wine, summer fruit, and oil; put them in your vessels {bikleikhem: storage jars}; and dwell in your cities which you have seized.
11 And also all the Jews who were in Moab and among the sons of Ammon and in Edom, and who were in all the lands, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant {she'erit: surviving group} for Judah, and that he appointed {hifqid: placed in authority} over them Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan.
12 All the Jews returned from all the places where they had been scattered{niddachusham: forced away}, and came to the land of Judah to Gedaliah at Mizpah{hamitzpatah: hilltop fortress}. They gathered wine and summer fruit in great abundance.
13 And Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the commanders {sare: military chiefs} of the troops who were in the field, came to Gedaliah at Mizpah {mits-pah: watchtower site}.
14 And they said to him, "Do you surely know that Baalis, king of the sons of Ammon, has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to strike {lehakot: to kill} you—to take your life {nefesh: soul, entire being}?" But Gedaliah son of Ahikam did not believe them.
15 And Johanan son of Kareah said to Gedaliah in secret at Mizpah, “Please let me go and I will strike Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and no man will know. Why should he take your life {nephesh: whole being}, causing all Judah who have gathered to you to be scattered, and the remnant {sheerit: survivors} of Judah to perish?”
16 And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, “Do not do this thing, for you are speaking falsehood {sheqer: deceitful statement} about Ishmael {yishma'el: God hears}.”