12. Then Jeremiah spoke to the officials and the people in his own defense. “The lord sent me to prophesy against this Temple and this city,” he said. “The lord gave me every word that I have spoken.
13. But if you stop your sinning and begin to obey the lord your God, 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 the lord sent me to speak every word you have heard.”
16. Then the officials and the people said to the priests and prophets, “This man does not deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the name of the lord our God.”
17. Then some of the wise old men stood and spoke to all the people assembled there.