17
Then Jeremiahsaid to Zedekiah, "Thussays the LORDGod of hosts, the God of Israel, 'If you will indeedgo out to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, thiscity will not be burned with fire, and you and your household will survive.
18
'But if you will not go out to the officers of the king of Babylon, then thiscity will be given over to the hand of the Chaldeans; and they will burn it with fire, and you yourself will not escape from their hand.' "
19
Then KingZedekiahsaid to Jeremiah, "I dread the Jewswho have goneover to the Chaldeans, for they may give me over into their hand and they will abuse me."
22
'Then behold, all of the womenwho have been left in the palace of the king of Judah are going to be brought out to the officers of the king of Babylon; and thosewomen will say, "Your closefriends* Have misled and overpowered you; While your feet were sunk in the mire, They turnedback."
23
'They will also bring out all your wives and your sons to the Chaldeans, and you yourself will not escape from their hand, but will be seized by the hand of the king of Babylon, and thiscity will be burned with fire.' "
25
"But if the officialshear that I have talked with you and come to you and say to you, 'Tell us nowwhat you said to the king and what the kingsaid to you; do not hide it from us and we will not put you to death,'
27
Then all the officialscame to Jeremiah and questioned him. So he reported to them in accordance with allthesewordswhich the king had commanded; and they ceasedspeaking with him, since the conversation had not been overheard.