9. Nebuzaradan, Babylon’s captain of the guard, captured the few people left in the city, those who surrendered to him, and the rest of the people.
10. But Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, left some poor people who had nothing in the land of Judah. At that time he gave them vineyards and farms.
11. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon gave Nebuzaradan an order concerning Jeremiah. He said,
12. “Take him, and look after him. Don’t harm him in any way, but do for him whatever he asks.”
13. Nebuzaradan (the captain of the guard), Nebushazban (the chief official), Nergal (the quartermaster and the chief fortuneteller), and all the other leaders of the king of Babylon sent for Jeremiah.
14. They took Jeremiah out of the courtyard of the prison and handed him over to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, to take him home. So he lived among the people.
15. While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the prison, the Lord spoke his word to him. The Lord said,
16. “Say to Ebed Melech from Sudan, ‘This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I’m going to carry out my threat against this city by bringing disaster on it instead of prosperity. At that time these things will happen as you watch.
17. But at that time I will rescue you, declares the Lord. You will not be handed over to those you fear.
18. I will certainly rescue you. You will not die in war. You will escape with your life because you trusted me, declares the Lord.’ ”