Jeremiah 26

1At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from Yahweh:

2“This is what Yahweh says: Stand in the court of the house of Yahweh and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of Yahweh. Tell them all the words I command you to speak to them; do not leave out a word.

3Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his evil way. Then I will relent from the disaster that I am planning to bring on them because of their evil deeds.

4Say to them, ‘This is what Yahweh says: If you will not listen to me and walk in my law, which I have set before you,

5and listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again, though you have not listened,

6then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth.’”

7The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of Yahweh.

8As soon as Jeremiah had finished speaking everything that Yahweh had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests, the prophets, and all the people seized him and said, “You must die!

9Why have you prophesied in the name of Yahweh that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate, without inhabitants?” And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of Yahweh.

10When the officials of Judah heard about these things, they came up from the king’s palace to the house of Yahweh and took their seats at the entrance of the New Gate of the house of Yahweh.

11Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, “This man deserves the death sentence, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.”

12Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people, “Yahweh sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words you have heard.

13So now, change your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of Yahweh your God. Then Yahweh will relent from the disaster that he has pronounced against you.

14As for me, here I am in your hands. Do with me whatever seems good and right to you.

15But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and its inhabitants, for in truth Yahweh has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.”

16Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the name of Yahweh our God.”

17And some of the elders of the land stood up and said to the whole assembly of the people,

18“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He said to all the people of Judah, ‘This is what Yahweh of Armies says: Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, and the temple mount a wooded height.’

19Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear Yahweh and seek Yahweh’s favor, so that Yahweh relented from the disaster he had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great disaster on ourselves.”

20There was also another man who prophesied in the name of Yahweh, Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land in words just like those of Jeremiah.

21When King Jehoiakim and all his warriors and all the officials heard his words, the king sought to put him to death. But Uriah heard of it and was afraid, and he fled and went to Egypt.

22Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor and some men with him went to Egypt.

23They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who struck him down with the sword and threw his body into the burial place of the common people.

24But Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.