9. Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian officer in charge of the guards, led away everyone from the city as prisoners, even those who had deserted to Nebuchadnezzar.
10. Only the poorest people who owned no land were left behind in Judah, and Nebuzaradan gave them fields and vineyards.
11. Nebuchadnezzar had given the following orders to Nebuzaradan:
12. “Find Jeremiah and keep him safe. Take good care of him and do whatever he asks.”
13. Nebuzaradan, Nebushazban, Nergal Sharezer, and the other officers of King Nebuchadnezzar
14. sent some of their troops to bring me from the courtyard of the royal palace guards. They put me in the care of Gedaliah son of Ahikam and told him to take me to my home. And so I was allowed to stay with the people who remained in Judah.
15. While I was a prisoner in the courtyard of the palace guard, the Lord told me to say
16. to Ebedmelech from Ethiopia:I am the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel. I warned everyone that I would bring disaster, not prosperity, to this city. Now very soon I will do what I said, and you will see it happen.
17-18. But because you trusted me, I will protect you from the officials of Judah, and when Judah is struck by disaster, I will rescue you and keep you alive. I, the Lord, have spoken.