Jeremiah 21-36: A Translation 21(^21) Thus said Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, concerning Ahab son of Kolaiah
and concerning Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying a lie to
you in my name:
Look I will give them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon,
and he will strike them down before your eyes.^22 From them will be taken
up a swearword for all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon: 'Yahweh
make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab whom the king of Babylon roasted
in the fire,'^23 because they did a scandalous thing in Israel, yes, they com-
mitted adultery with the wives of their fellows and have spoken a lying
word in my name that I did not command them. But I am he who knows
and am witness-oracle of Yahweh.
- Concerning Shemaiah in Babylon (29:24-32)
29 24 And concerning Shemaiah, the Nehelamite, you shall say:
(^25) Thus said Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel:
Because you, you sent letters in your name to all the people who are in
Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the
priests saying,^26 Yahweh made you priest under Jehoiada, the priest, to be
overseers in the house of Yahweh concerning every madman and one
prophesying away, and you are to put him into the stocks and into the col-
lar.^27 And now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah, the Anathothite, who
is prophesying away to you?^28 seeing that he sent to us in Babylon saying,
'It will be long! Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat
their fruit.'
(^29) And Zephaniah, the priest, read this letter in the hearing of Jeremiah, the
prophet.^30 And the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah:^31 Send to all the exiles
saying: Thus said Yahweh concerning Shemaiah, the Nehelamite, because
Shemaiah prophesied to you when I, I did not send him, and he has made you
trust in a lie -
(^32) Therefore thus said Yahweh:
Look I will reckon with Shemaiah, the Nehelamite, and with his offspring.
There shall not be to him a man dwelling in the midst of this people, and
he shall not see the good that I will do for my people-oracle of Yahweh-
for he has spoken rebellion against Yahweh.
III. THE BOOK OF RESTORATION (30:1-33:26)
A. Book of the Covenant (30:1-31:40)
- Superscription and Introductory Oracle (30:1-3)
30 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh:^2 Thus said Yahweh, God of
Israel: 'Write for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you into a scroll.'