1 At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the LORD: 2 “This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the LORD’s house and speak to those coming from all the cities of Judah to bow down in the LORD’s house. Speak all the words I command you to speak to them; do not omit a word. 3 Perhaps they will listen and each turn from his evil way, so that I may relent concerning the disaster I plan to bring upon them because of the evil of their deeds. 4 Tell them: This is what the LORD says: If you do not listen to me by walking in my law, which I have set before you, 5 and by listening to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send you, rising early and sending them, though you have not listened, 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.”

7 The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the LORD’s house. 8 When Jeremiah finished speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests, the prophets, and all the people seized him, saying, “You must die! 9 Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD, ‘This house will be like Shiloh, and this city will be a ruin, without an inhabitant’?” All the people gathered against Jeremiah in the LORD’s house. 10 When the officials of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house to the LORD’s house and sat at the entrance of the LORD’s New Gate.

11 The priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man deserves a sentence of death, for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” 12 Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people, “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. 13 Now amend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent concerning the disaster he has pronounced against you. 14 As for me, here I am in your hands. Do with me what seems good and right to you. 15 But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves, this city, and its inhabitants, for the LORD has truly sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.”

16 Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and prophets, “This man does not deserve a sentence of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.” 17 Some of the elders of the land stood up and said to the whole assembly of the people: 18 “Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He said to all the people of Judah, ‘This is what the LORD of hosts says: Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house will become wooded heights.’ 19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and seek the LORD’s favor, and did the LORD not relent concerning the disaster he had pronounced against them? We are bringing great disaster upon our own lives!” 20 There was also a man prophesying in the name of the LORD, Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and this land in words like all those of Jeremiah. 21 When King Jehoiakim, all his warriors, and all the officials heard his words, the king sought to put him to death. Uriah heard of it, was afraid, fled, and went to Egypt. 22 King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt. He sent Elnathan son of Achbor and men with him to Egypt. 23 They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who struck him down with the sword and threw his corpse into the graves of the common people. 24 But Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so that he was not given into the hands of the people to be put to death.