40 The chief bodyguard Nevuzar-Adan had found Yirmeyah chained up among all the exiles from Yerushalem and the rest of Yehudah to be taken to Babylon, and had released him at Ramah.

2 The chief bodyguard took Yirmeyah aside and told him, “Your god Yahweh decreed this disaster for this place, 3 then he caused it to happen. Yahweh did just as he’d decreed, since you people sinned against him and didn’t obey him. That’s why all this has happened to you people. 4 But now listen, I’ve released you today from your chains. If you choose to come with me to Babylon, I’ll look after you, but if you don’t want to, then look around and go wherever you think best. 5 Or why don’t you return to Gedalyah (son of Ahikam, son of Shafan) who the Babylonian king has put in charge of Yehudah’s cities. Stay among the people with him, or go wherever you think best.” Then the the king’s chief bodyguard gave him food and a gift, and sent him away. 6 So Yirmeyah went to Gedalyah’s place and stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land.