Jeremiah 40 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

This is the message that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh after Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, released him at Ramah. He had found Jeremiah bound in chains among all the captives from Jerusalem and Judah who were being taken to Babylon.

The captain of the guard took Jeremiah aside and said to him, "Yahweh your God threatened this place with this disaster.

And Yahweh brought it about — he did exactly what he said he would. All of this happened because you people kept failing him and refused to listen to his voice. That's why this has come down on you.

But look — today I'm setting you free from the chains on your hands. If you want to come with me to Babylon, come, and I'll take care of you. But if you'd rather not come to Babylon, then don't. The whole land is open to you — go wherever you think is best."

Before Jeremiah could even turn to go, Nebuzaradan added, "Go back to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed as governor over the towns of Judah. Settle down among the people there. Or go wherever you want." Then the captain of the guard gave him food and a gift, and let him go.

So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah, and stayed with him among the people who were left in the land.

When all the military commanders who were still out in the field heard — along with their troops — that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam as governor of the land and had put him in charge of the men, women, and children from the poorest people in the land who hadn't been taken to Babylon,

they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah — Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of the Maakathite — they and their men.

Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, swore an oath to them and their men: "Don't be afraid of serving the Babylonians. Settle in the land, serve the king of Babylon, and things will go well for you.

As for me, I'll stay at Mizpah to represent you before the Babylonians when they come to us. But you — go harvest the wine, the summer fruit, and the olive oil. Store them in your jars and settle in the towns you've taken over."

When all the Judeans in Moab, Ammon, Edom, and every other country heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, over them,

they all came back to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, from all the places where they had been scattered. And they harvested a huge amount of wine and summer fruit.

Then Johanan son of Kareah and all the military commanders who had been out in the field came to Gedaliah at Mizpah

and said to him, "Are you aware that Baalis, king of the Ammonites, has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to assassinate you?" But Gedaliah son of Ahikam didn't believe them.

Then Johanan son of Kareah spoke privately to Gedaliah at Mizpah: "Let me go and take out Ishmael son of Nethaniah — no one will know. Why should he be allowed to assassinate you? Everyone who has gathered around you would be scattered, and what's left of Judah would be destroyed."

But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, "Don't do it. What you're saying about Ishmael isn't true."