Jeremiah 34:7-9

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

⁷ when the army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and against all the cities of Judah that were left, Lachish and Azekah, for these were the only fortified cities of Judah that remained.^(A)

Treacherous Treatment of Slaves

⁸ The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to make a proclamation of liberty to them,^{(B) 9} that all should set free their Hebrew slaves, male and female, so that no one should hold another Judean in slavery.^(C)