8. Meanwhile, the Babylonians burnt down the royal palace and the houses of the people and tore down the walls of Jerusalem.
9. Finally Nebuzaradan, the commanding officer, took away as prisoners to Babylonia the people who were left in the city, together with those who had deserted to him.
10. He left in the land of Judah some of the poorest people, who owned no property, and he gave them vineyards and fields.
11. But King Nebuchadnezzar commanded Nebuzaradan, the commanding officer, to give the following order:
12. “Go and find Jeremiah and take good care of him. Do not harm him, but do for him whatever he wants.”
13. So Nebuzaradan, together with the high officials Nebushazban and Nergal Sarezer and all the other officers of the king of Babylonia,
14. brought me from the palace courtyard. They put me under the care of Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, who was to see that I got home safely. And so I stayed there among the people.
15. While I was still imprisoned in the palace courtyard, the Lord told me
16. to tell Ebedmelech the Ethiopian that the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, had said, “Just as I said I would, I am going to bring upon this city destruction and not prosperity. And when this happens, you will be there to see it.
17. But I, the Lord, will protect you, and you will not be handed over to those you fear.
18. I will keep you safe, and you will not be put to death. You will escape with your life because you have put your trust in me. I, the Lord, have spoken.”