At the beginning of King Jehoiakim's reign, the Lord commanded Jeremiah to stand in the courtyard of the temple and proclaim that if the people did not repent, the house of the Lord would become like Shiloh, and Jerusalem a curse. The priests, prophets, and people seized him and demanded his death. When Judah's leaders came from the king's house, Jeremiah defended himself by saying the Lord had sent him, and warned against shedding innocent blood. The leaders and the people acquitted him, and the elders of the land recalled how the prophet Micah of Moreshet prophesied similarly in the days of King Hezekiah without being put to death. In contrast, it is told about Uriah the prophet, son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-Jearim, who was brought back from Egypt and killed by King Jehoiakim. Finally, Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah from being handed over to the people.
2This is what the LORD says: Stand in the court of the LORD's house and speak to all who come from the cities of Judah to worship in the house of the LORD. Tell them everything I command you; do not hold back a single word.
3Perhaps they will listen and each one turn from his evil way. Then I will relent of the disaster I intend to bring on them because of the evil of their deeds.
8And when Jeremiah had finished saying everything the LORD had commanded him to say to all the people, the priests, the prophets, and all the people seized him and said, "You must die!
9Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD that this house will become like Shiloh and this city will be desolate, without an inhabitant?" And all the people gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
10When the officials of Judah heard of these things, they came up from the king's palace to the house of the LORD and took their seats at the entrance of the New Gate of the LORD's house.
11Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, "This man deserves a sentence of death, for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears."
12Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: "The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city everything you have heard.
13Now then, reform your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, and the LORD will relent of the disaster he has pronounced against you.
15But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city, and on its inhabitants; for in truth the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing."
16Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, "This man does not deserve a sentence of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God."
18"Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and he said to all the people of Judah: 'This is what the LORD of hosts says: Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, and the temple mount a wooded height.'
19Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and seek his favor, so that the LORD relented of the disaster he had pronounced against them? But we would be bringing great harm on our own lives!
20Now there was also a man named Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim, who prophesied in the name of the LORD. He prophesied against this city and this land in words just like Jeremiah's.
21When King Jehoiakim and all his warriors and all the officials heard his words, the king sought to put him to death. But Uriah heard of it and was afraid, so he fled and went to Egypt.
23They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who struck him down with the sword and threw his corpse among the graves of the common people.