Jeremiah 21

8–10 These verses were spoken by Jeremiah to the people. Through Jeremiah, the Lord offers the people a choice between surviving and being killed—between life and death (verse 8). If they surrender to the Babylonians and accept exile, they will save their lives; but if they resist the Babylonians and stay in the city, they will die⁷³ (verse 9). In either event, Jerusalem itself cannot be saved, because the Lord has determined to destroy it (verse 10).

11–14 These verses were likely spoken on an earlier occasion when there was still time for repentance on the part of the royal family, the house of David. God calls upon the king to act with justice— or else His wrath will break out upon the city⁷⁴ (verse 12).