If they ask you, ‘Where should we go?’ tell them the Lord says this: “Those who are destined to die of disease will go to death by disease. Those who are destined to die in war will go to death in war. Those who are destined to die of starvation will go to death by starvation. Those who are destined to go into exile will go into exile.”

The Lord told me, “Go and stand in the People’s Gate through which the kings of Judah enter and leave the city. Then go and stand in all the other gates of the city of Jerusalem.

Moreover, I, the Lord, warn you not to deceive yourselves into thinking that the Babylonian forces will go away and leave you alone. For they will not go away.

“Go down at once to the potter’s house. I will speak to you further there.”

Before Jeremiah could turn to leave, the captain of the guard added, “Go back to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed to govern the towns of Judah. Go back and live with him among the people. Or go wherever else you choose.” Then the captain of the guard gave Jeremiah some food and a present and let him go.

“‘Do not go to a house where people are feasting and sit down to eat and drink with them either.

Then Jeremiah told Baruch, “I am no longer allowed to go into the Lord’s temple.

People of Jerusalem, go up to Lebanon and cry out in mourning. Go to the land of Bashan and cry out loudly. Cry out in mourning from the mountains of Moab. For your allies have all been defeated.

So come on, let’s go ahead and attack it by night and destroy all its fortified buildings.’

If I go out into the countryside, I see those who have been killed in battle. If I go into the city, I see those who are sick because of starvation. For both prophet and priest go about their own business in the land without having any real understanding.’”

Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.”

What good will it do you then to go down to Egypt to seek help from the Egyptians? What good will it do you to go over to Assyria to seek help from the Assyrians?

You who have escaped the sword, go, do not delay. Remember the Lord in a faraway land. Think about Jerusalem.

“Something horrible and shocking is going on in the land of Judah:

They set out to go to Egypt to get away from the Babylonians, but stopped at Geruth Kimham near Bethlehem.

The Lord told me, “Go down to the palace of the king of Judah. Give him a message from me there.

So now be very sure of this: You will die from war, starvation, or disease in the place where you want to go and live.”

Then the officials said to Baruch, “You and Jeremiah must go and hide. You must not let anyone know where you are.”

(Now Jeremiah had not yet been put in prison. So he was still free to come and go among the people as he pleased.

Do not go out into the countryside. Do not travel on the roads. For the enemy is there with sword in hand. They are spreading terror everywhere.”