18. But if you do not surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then this city will be handed over to the Chaldeans. They will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape from them.’ ”
19. But King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I am worried about the Judeans who have deserted to the Chaldeans. They may hand me over to the Judeans to abuse me.”
20. “They will not hand you over,” Jeremiah replied. “Obey the voice of the Lord in what I am telling you, so it may go well for you and you can live.
21. But if you refuse to surrender, this is the verdict that the Lord has shown me:
22. ‘All the women who remain in the palace of Judah’s king will be brought out to the officials of the king of Babylon and will say:Your trusted friends misled youand overcame you.Your feet sank into the mire,and they deserted you.
23. All your wives and sons will be brought out to the Chaldeans. You yourself will not escape from them, for you will be seized by the king of Babylon and this city will burn down.’ ”