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[124]
But when the king had sent to call him privately, and inquired what
he could say to him from God, which might be suitable to his present circumstances,
and desired him to inform him of it, Jeremiah replied, that he had somewhat
to say; but he said withal, he should not be believed, nor, if he admonished
them, should be hearkened to; "for," said he, "thy friends
have determined to destroy me, as though I had been guilty of some wickedness;
and where are now those men who deceived us, and said that the king of
Babylon would not come and fight against us any more? but I am afraid now
to speak the truth, lest thou shouldst condemn me to die." And when
the king had assured him upon oath, that he would neither himself put him
to death, nor deliver him up to the rulers, he became bold upon that assurance
that was given him, and gave him this advice: That he should deliver the
city up to the Babylonians; and he said that it was God who prophesied
this by him, that [he must do so] if he would be preserved, and escape
out of the danger he was in, and that then neither should the city fall
to the ground, nor should the temple be burned; but that [if he disobeyed]
he would be the cause of these miseries coming upon the citizens, and of
the calamity that would befall his whole house. When the king heard this,
he said that he would willingly do what he persuaded him to, and what he
declared would be to his advantage, but that he was afraid of those of
his own country that had fallen away to the Babylonians, lest he should
be accused by them to the king of Babylon, and be punished. But the prophet
encouraged him, and said he had no cause to fear such punishment, for that
he should not have the experience of any misfortune, if he would deliver
all up to the Babylonians, neither himself, nor his children, nor his wives,
and that the temple should then continue unhurt. So when Jeremiah had said
this, the king let him go, and charged him to betray what they had resolved
on to none of the citizens, nor to tell any of these matters to any of
the rulers, if they should have learned that he had been sent for, and
should inquire of him what it was that he was sent for, and what he had
said to him; but to pretend to them that he besought him that he might
not be kept in bonds and in prison. And indeed he said so to them; for
they came to the, prophet, and asked him what advice it was that he came
to give the king relating to them. And thus I have finished what concerns
this matter.
1
1 HOW THE KING OF BABYLON TOOK JERUSALEM AND BURNT THE TEMPLE AND REMOVED THE PEOPLE OF JERUSALEM AND ZEDEKIAH TO BABYLON. AS ALSO, WHO THEY WERE THAT HAD SUCCEEDED IN THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD UNDER THE KINGS.
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