Yaram'Yahu (Jeremiah) — 26

Yaramyahu’s Escape from Death

1 This message came to Yaramyahu from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH early in the reign of Yahuiakim son of Yusyahu, king of Yahudah. 

2 “This is what 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Dabar: Stand in the courtyard in front of the Temple of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, and make an announcement to the people who have come there to worship from all over Yahudah, give them my entire message; include every word. 

3 Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways, then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins.

4 “Say to them, ‘this is what  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Dabar: If you will not listen to me and obey My Dabar that I have given you, 

5 and if you will not listen to my servants, the Nabym, for I sent them again and again to warn you, but you would not listen to them 

6 then I will destroy this Temple as I destroyed Shiluh, the place where the Tabernacle was located, and I will make Yahushalam an object of cursing in every nation on the Arath.’”

7 The Kuhanym, the Nabym, and all the people listened to Yaramyahu as he spoke in front of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH’s Temple. 

8 But when Yaramyahu had finished his message, saying everything  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH had told him to say, the Kuhanym and Nabyms and all the people at the Temple mobbed him. “Kill him!” they shouted. 

9 “What right do you have to prophesy in 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH’s name that this Temple will be destroyed like Shiluh? What do you mean, saying that Yahushalam will be destroyed and left with no inhabitants?” and all the people threatened him as he stood in front of the Temple.

10 When the officials of Yahudah heard what was happening, they rushed over from the palace and sat down at the New Gate of the Temple to hold court. 

11 The Kuhanym and Nabyms presented their accusations to the officials and the people. “this man should die!” they said. “You have heard with your own ears what a traitor he is, for he has prophesied against this city.”

12 Then Yaramyahu spoke to the officials and the people in his own defense,  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH sent me to prophesy against this Temple and this city,” he said, “𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH gave me every word that I have spoken. 

13 But if you stop your sinning and begin to obey 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH  your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH, He will change His mind about this disaster that He has announced against you. 

14 As for me, I am in your hands, do with me as you think best. 

15 But if you kill me, rest assured that you will be killing an innocent man! The responsibility for such a deed will lie on you, on this city, and on every person living in it, for it is absolutely true that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH sent me to speak every word you have heard.”

16 Then the officials and the people said to the Kuhanym and Nabyms, “This man does not deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the Name of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH our 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH.”

17 Then some of the wise old men stood and spoke to all the people assembled there. 

18 They said, “Remember when Micah of Murashath prophesied during the reign of King Hazakyahu of Yahudah, he told the people of Yahudah, ‘This is what 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Tsaba'ut Dabar, Mount Ziun will be plowed like an open field; Yahushalam will be reduced to ruins! A thicket will grow on the heights where the Temple now stands.’

19 But did King Hazakyahu and the people kill him for saying this? No, they turned from their sins and worshiped  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, they begged him for mercy, Then 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH changed His mind about the terrible disaster He had pronounced against them. So we are about to do ourselves great harm.”

20 At this time Uryahu son of Shemayahu from Kiriath-yaarim was also prophesying for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, and he predicted the same terrible disaster against the city and nation as Yaramyahu did. 

21 When King Yahuiakim and the army officers and officials heard what he was saying, the king sent someone to kill him, but Uryahu heard about the plan and escaped in fear to Mitzraym. 

22 Then King Yahuiakim sent Alnathan son of Acbur to Mitzraym along with several other men to capture Uryahu. 

23 They took him prisoner and brought him back to King Yahuiakim, the king then killed Uryahu with a sword and had him buried in an unmarked grave.

24 Nevertheless, Ahikam son of Shaphan stood up for Yaramyahu and persuaded the court not to turn him over to the mob to be killed.