8. So he called for Johanan son of Kareah and the other guerrilla leaders, and for all the people, from the least to the greatest.
9. He said to them, “You sent me to the lord, the God of Israel, with your request, and this is his reply:
10. ‘Stay here in this land. If you do, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you. For I am sorry about all the punishment I have had to bring upon you.
11. Do not fear the king of Babylon anymore,’ says the lord. ‘For I am with you and will save you and rescue you from his power.
12. I will be merciful to you by making him kind, so he will let you stay here in your land.’
13. “But if you refuse to obey the lord your God, and if you say, ‘We will not stay here;
14. instead, we will go to Egypt where we will be free from war, the call to arms, and hunger,’