²⁸ Jeremiah remained in the guard’s courtyard until the day Jerusalem was captured, and he was there when it happened.^[a]

Jeremiah Stays in Judah

40 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord after Nebuzaradan, captain of the guards, released him at Ramah.^(A) When he found him, he was bound in chains with all the exiles of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon. ² The captain of the guards took Jeremiah and said to him, “The Lord your God decreed this disaster on this place,^{(B) 3} and the Lord has fulfilled it. He has done just what he decreed. Because you people have sinned against the Lord^(C) and have not obeyed him, this thing has happened. ⁴ Now pay attention: Today I am setting you free from the chains that were on your hands.^(D) If it pleases you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will take care of you. But if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, go no farther.^[a] Look—the whole land is in front of you.^(E) Wherever it seems good and right for you to go, go there.” ⁵ When Jeremiah had not yet turned to go, Nebuzaradan said to him,^[b] “Return^[c] to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the cities of Judah, and stay with him among the people or go wherever it seems right for you to go.” So the captain of the guards gave him a ration^(F) and a gift^(G) and released him. ⁶ Jeremiah therefore went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah,^(H) and he stayed with him among the people who remained in the land.