A crushed reed he will not break, a dim wick he will not extinguish; he will faithfully make just decrees.

to open blind eyes, to release prisoners from dungeons, those who live in darkness from prisons.

the one who led chariots and horses to destruction, together with a mighty army. They fell down, never to rise again; they were extinguished, put out like a burning wick:

“I announced events beforehand, I issued the decrees and made the predictions; suddenly I acted and they came to pass.

You will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ and to those who are in dark dungeons, ‘Emerge.’ They will graze beside the roads; on all the slopes they will find pasture.

I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah people to take possession of my mountains. My chosen ones will take possession of the land; my servants will live there.

“Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”

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.”

Why did I ever come forth from my mother’s womb? All I experience is trouble and grief, and I spend my days in shame.

But just watch! The wrath of the Lord will come like a storm! Like a raging storm it will rage down on the heads of those who are wicked.

He sent it after King Jeconiah, the queen mother, the palace officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had been exiled from Jerusalem.

Out of those places you will hear songs of thanksgiving and the sounds of laughter and merriment. I will increase their number and they will not dwindle away. I will bring them honor and they will no longer be despised.

Just watch! The wrath of the Lord will come like a storm. Like a raging storm it will rage down on the heads of those who are wicked.

I will rebuild you, my dear children Israel, so that you will once again be built up. Once again you will take up the tambourine and join in the happy throng of dancers.

The boundary line will extend beyond that, straight west from there to the Hill of Gareb and then turn southward to Goah.

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

Jeremiah started to leave Jerusalem to go to the territory of Benjamin. He wanted to make sure he got his share of the property that was being divided up among his family there.

Ebed Melech departed the palace and went to speak to the king. He said to him,

But if you refuse to surrender, the Lord has shown me a vision of what will happen. Here is what I saw:

Set up a gravestone for Moab, for it will certainly be laid in ruins! Its cities will be laid waste and become uninhabited.”