Jeremiah Chapter 26
1 A Message from Yahveh at the Beginning
of the Reign of Jehoiakim Ben-Josiah, King of Judah
Jeremiah Escapes Death
2 Yahveh says,
“Stand in the court of Yahveh’s Temple and speak to the towns in Judah that have come to worship here. Don’t hold back a word! 3 Maybe they’ll listen so I can change my mind about the catastrophe I’m planning for them. 4 Tell them, ‘If you won’t follow the Law I’ve given you 5 or listen to the prophets I’ve sent you time and again, 6 then I’ll make this Temple like Shiloh and this city accursed to every nation.’”
7 The priests, the prophets, and the people were listening to Jeremiah saying this. 8 When he finished, they grabbed him, “You have to die! 9 Why did you prophesy in Yahveh’s name that this Temple will be like Shiloh and this city without residents?” The people gathered around him.
Jer 26:1-9
10 When the officials of Judah heard about that, they came up from the king’s palace to Yahveh’s Temple and sat in the entrance of the New Gate. 11 The priests and prophets told the officials and the people, “This man has to die! You’ve heard him prophesy against this city.”
12 Then Jeremiah answered,
“Yahveh sent me to prophesy the message you heard. 13 If you mend your ways and deeds and obey him, he’ll change his mind about this misfortune. 14 Do to me what you like. 15 Just know that if you put me to death, you’ll bring innocent blood on yourselves, this city, and its people.”
Jer 26:10-15
16 The officials and the people told the priests and prophets, “This man doesn’t deserve to die. He’s spoken to us in the name of Yahveh our God.”
17 Some elders of the land stood up and told the assembly,
18 “Micah of Moresheth prophesied at the time of Hezekiah, king of Judah. He told the people in Judah,
‘Yahveh of Hosts has said,
“Zion will be plowed like a field;
Jerusalem will become a ruins;
the Temple mount will be like a thicket.”’
19 Did Hezekiah and Judah put him to death? Didn’t they respect Yahveh and ask for his blessing? Yahveh changed his mind about the misfortune he‘d pronounced on them. We’re about to do ourselves great harm.”
Jer 26:16-19
20 Another man prophesied in Yahveh’s name, Uriah Ben-Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. Like Jeremiah, he was prophesying against this city and the land. 21 When King Jehoiakim, his officials, and soldiers heard it, the king tried to put him to death, but Uriah found out and fled to Egypt. 22 The king sent Elnathan Ben-Achbor and some others to Egypt, 23 and they brought him back. Jehoiakim killed him with a sword and threw his body into the graves for commoners. 24 But Ahikam Ben-Shaphan defended Jeremiah; so he wasn’t executed.
Jer 26:20-24