Jeremiah 21
New International Version

God Rejects Zedekiah’s Request

21 The word came to Jeremiah from theLordwhen King Zedekiah^(A)sent to him Pashhur^(B)son of Malkijah and the priest Zephaniah^(C)son of Maaseiah. They said:²“Inquire^(D)now of theLordfor us because Nebuchadnezzar^[a]^(E)king of Babylon^(F)is attacking us. Perhaps theLordwill perform wonders^(G)for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us.”

³But Jeremiah answered them, “Tell Zedekiah,⁴‘This is what theLord, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn^(H)against you the weapons of war that are in your hands, which you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Babylonians^[b]who are outside the wall besieging^(I)you. And I will gather them inside this city.⁵I myself will fight^(J)against you with an outstretched hand^(K)and a mighty arm^(L)in furious anger and in great wrath.⁶I will strike^(M)down those who live in this city—both man and beast—and they will die of a terrible plague.^(N)⁷After that, declares theLord, I will give Zedekiah^(O)king of Judah, his officials and the people in this city who survive the plague,^(P)sword and famine, into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon^(Q)and to their enemies^(R)who want to kill them.^(S)He will put them to the sword;^(T)he will show them no mercy or pity or compassion.’^(U)

⁸“Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what theLordsays: See, I am setting before you the way of life^(V)and the way of death.⁹Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague.^(W)But whoever goes out and surrenders^(X)to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives.^(Y)¹⁰I have determined to do this city harm^(Z)and not good, declares theLord. It will be given into the hands^(AA)of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.’^(AB)

¹¹“Moreover, say to the royal house^(AC)of Judah, ‘Hear the word of theLord.¹²This is what theLordsays to you, house of David:

“‘Administer justice^(AD)every morning;
    rescue from the hand of the oppressor^(AE)
    the one who has been robbed,
or my wrath will break out and burn like fire^(AF)
    because of the evil^(AG)you have done—
    burn with no one to quench^(AH)it.
¹³I am against^(AI)you, Jerusalem,
    you who live above this valley^(AJ)
    on the rocky plateau, declares theLord—
you who say, “Who can come against us?
    Who can enter our refuge?”^(AK)
¹⁴I will punish you as your deeds^(AL)deserve,
    declares theLord.
I will kindle a fire^(AM)in your forests^(AN)
    that will consume everything around you.’”