Jeremiah Decides to Remain in the Land

40 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh after Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard,[fn] had let him go from Ramah,where he had been taken[fn] bound in chains in the midst of all the exiles[fn] of Jerusalem and Judah who were being deportedto Babylon. 2 And the captain of the guard[fn] took Jeremiah and said to him, “Yahweh your God threatened this disaster to this place, 3 and now he has brought it about,[fn] and Yahweh has donejust as[fn] he threatened. Because you sinned against Yahweh and did not listen to his voice, so this thinghas happened to you. 4 And so then look, I have released you today[fn] from the chains thatwere on your hands.[fn] If it is good in your eyes to come with meto Babylon, then come, and I will take care of you.[fn] But if it is bad in your eyes to come with meto Babylon, then refrain. Look, the whole land is before you.[fn] Towherever it is good and right in your eyes to go, then go there.” 5 While he still had not turned back, Nebuzaradan added, “Return to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed in an official position over the towns of Judah, and stay with him in the midst of the people. Or to wherever it is right in your eyes to go, then go there.”[fn] Thenthe captain of the guard[fn] gave him an allowance of provisions and a present, and let him go. 6 So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, at Mizpah and stayed with him in the midst of the people who were left in the land.