Jeremiah 38:15
New International Version
Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I give you an answer, will you not kill me? Even if I did give you counsel, you would not listen to me.”

New Living Translation
Jeremiah said, “If I tell you the truth, you will kill me. And if I give you advice, you won’t listen to me anyway.”

English Standard Version
Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, will you not surely put me to death? And if I give you counsel, you will not listen to me.”

Berean Standard Bible
“If I tell you,” Jeremiah replied, “you will surely put me to death. And even if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”

King James Bible
Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?

New King James Version
Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I declare it to you, will you not surely put me to death? And if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”

New American Standard Bible
And Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, will you not certainly put me to death? Besides, if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”

NASB 1995
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, will you not certainly put me to death? Besides, if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”

NASB 1977
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, will you not certainly put me to death? Besides, if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, will you not certainly put me to death? Besides, if I give you counsel, you will not listen to me.”

Amplified Bible
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, will you not certainly put me to death? Even if I do give you advice, you will not listen to me.”

Christian Standard Bible
Jeremiah replied to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, you will kill me, won’t you? Besides, if I give you advice, you won’t listen to me anyway.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jeremiah replied to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, you will kill me, won’t you? Besides, if I give you advice, you won’t listen to me anyway.”

American Standard Version
Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, thou wilt not hearken unto me.

Contemporary English Version
"Why?" I replied. "You won't listen, and you might even have me killed!"

English Revised Version
Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, thou wilt not hearken unto me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jeremiah answered Zedekiah, "If I answer you, you'll kill me. If I give you advice, you won't listen to me."

Good News Translation
I answered, "If I tell you the truth, you will put me to death, and if I give you advice, you won't pay any attention."

International Standard Version
Jeremiah told Zedekiah, "When I tell you, you will surely put me to death, won't you? And when I give you advice, you don't listen to me."

Majority Standard Bible
“If I tell you,” Jeremiah replied, “you will surely put me to death. And even if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”

NET Bible
Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I answer you, you will certainly kill me. If I give you advice, you will not listen to me."

New Heart English Bible
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I declare it to you, will you not surely put me to death? And if I give you counsel, you will not listen to me."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, If I declare it to thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken to me?

World English Bible
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I declare it to you, will you not surely put me to death? If I give you counsel, you will not listen to me.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jeremiah says to Zedekiah, “When I declare [it] to you, do you not surely put me to death? And when I counsel you, you do not listen to me.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Jeremiah saith unto Zedekiah, 'When I declare to thee, dost thou not surely put me to death? and when I counsel thee, thou dost not hearken unto me.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jeremiah will say to Zedekiah, If I shall announce to thee, killing, wilt thou not put me to death? and if I shall counsel thee, thou wilt not hear to me?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Jeremias said to Sedecias: If I shall declare it to thee, wilt thou not put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, thou wilt not hearken to me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah: “If I announce to you, will you not put me to death? And if I give you counsel, you will not listen to me.”

New American Bible
Jeremiah answered Zedekiah: “If I tell you anything, will you not have me put to death? If I counsel you, you will not listen to me!”

New Revised Standard Version
Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, you will put me to death, will you not? And if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, If I tell you, behold, you will surely put me to death; and if I give you counsel, you will not listen to me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Jeremiah said to Tsedeqiah: “If I show you, behold, you will kill me, and if I counsel you, you will not hear me”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah: 'If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, thou wilt not hearken unto me.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jeremias said to the king, If I tell thee, wilt thou not certainly put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, thou wilt not at all hearken to me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jeremiah Rescued
14Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance to the house of the LORD. “I am going to ask you something,” said the king to Jeremiah. “Do not hide anything from me.” 15“If I tell you,” Jeremiah replied, you will surely put me to death. And even if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.” 16But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not kill you, nor will I deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life.”…

Cross References
Jeremiah 37:17
Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah replied. “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”

1 Kings 22:13-14
Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, “Behold now, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.” / But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”

Ezekiel 2:6-7
But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house. / But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.

2 Kings 6:31-32
He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!” / Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?”

Matthew 14:3-5
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, / because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” / Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

1 Samuel 15:24
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. / If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. / But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

Acts 4:19-20
But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. / For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

John 19:8-11
When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid, / and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer. / So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?” ...

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.

Isaiah 51:12-13
“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass? / But you have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. You live in terror all day long because of the fury of the oppressor who is bent on destruction. But where is the fury of the oppressor?

Luke 12:4-5
I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. / But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!

Acts 24:24-25
After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. / As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, If I declare it to you, will you not surely put me to death? and if I give you counsel, will you not listen to me?

Luke 22:67,68
Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: …

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Advice Besides Counsel Death Declare Hearing Hearken Jeremiah Kill Question Suggestion Sure Surely Wilt Zedekiah Zedeki'ah
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Advice Besides Counsel Death Declare Hearing Hearken Jeremiah Kill Question Suggestion Sure Surely Wilt Zedekiah Zedeki'ah
Jeremiah 38
1. Jeremiah, by a false suggestion, is put into the dungeon of Malchiah.
7. Ebed-Melech, by suit, gets him some enlargement.
14. Upon secret conference, he counsels the king by yielding to save his life.
24. By the king's instructions he conceals the conference from the princes.














If I tell you
This phrase reflects Jeremiah's cautious approach in responding to King Zedekiah. The Hebrew root for "tell" is "נָגַד" (nagad), which means to declare or make known. Jeremiah is aware of the potential consequences of speaking truth to power. Historically, prophets often faced persecution for their messages, especially when they contradicted the desires of the ruling authorities. This highlights the courage required to speak God's truth, even when it is unwelcome.

will you not surely put me to death?
Jeremiah's question underscores the real danger he faced. The Hebrew word for "death" is "מוּת" (muth), which signifies physical death. In the context of ancient Judah, prophets who delivered unfavorable messages were often at risk of execution. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the cost of discipleship and the willingness to suffer for righteousness' sake, as seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

And even if I did give you advice
The phrase "give you advice" comes from the Hebrew "יָעַץ" (ya'ats), meaning to counsel or advise. Jeremiah is highlighting the futility of offering counsel to someone who is unwilling to heed it. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where God's people are called to listen and obey His word, yet often choose their own path, leading to their downfall.

you would not listen to me
The Hebrew root for "listen" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to hear or obey. This phrase captures the essence of Israel's recurring disobedience throughout the Old Testament. Despite God's repeated calls through His prophets, the people often turned a deaf ear. This serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of not just hearing God's word, but actively responding to it in faith and obedience.

(15) Wilt thou not surely put me to death?--The prophet obviously speaks as if he believed the king to have sanctioned the severe measures that had been taken against him, and having no other "word of the Lord" to speak than that which he had spoken before, fears to provoke his wrath. The latter part of the sentence is better taken with the LXX., Vulg., and Luther, "thou wilt not hearken unto me "; or the form of the question altered so as to imply that answer.

Verse 15. - Wilt thou not hearken; rather, thou wilt not hearken.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“If
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I tell you,”
אַגִּ֣יד (’ag·gîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

Jeremiah
יִרְמְיָ֙הוּ֙ (yir·mə·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3414: Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites

replied,
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“will you not
הֲל֖וֹא (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

surely
הָמֵ֣ת (hā·mêṯ)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

put me to death?
תְּמִיתֵ֑נִי (tə·mî·ṯê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

And even if
וְכִי֙ (wə·ḵî)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I did give you advice,
אִיעָ֣צְךָ֔ (’î·‘ā·ṣə·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

you would not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

listen
תִשְׁמַ֖ע (ṯiš·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to me.”
אֵלָֽי׃ (’ê·lāy)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 38:15 Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah If (Jer.)
Jeremiah 38:14
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