1Early in the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the LORD, 2”Thus says the LORD, ‘Stand in the court of the LORD's house, and speak all these words to all the people of the cities of Judah, who come to worship in the LORD's house. Do not omit a word. 3Maybe they will listen, and each will turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the punishment that I intend to inflict upon them because of their evil doings. 4This is what you shall say to them: “Thus says the LORD; ‘If you will not listen to Me, and abide by My law, which I have set before you, 5And listen to the words of My servants, the prophets, whom I sent to you, both rising up early, and sending them, that you have ignored, 6Then will I make this house (Temple) like Shiloh, and this city a curse among all the nations of the earth.’”’”

7So the priests, the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the Temple of the LORD. 8But as soon as Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to tell all the people, the priests, prophets and all the people seized him, saying, “You shall surely die. 9Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘This Temple shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate and deserted?’” And all the people came together against Jeremiah in the Temple of the LORD. 10When the officials of Judah heard of this, then they came up from the king's palace to the Temple of the LORD, and sat down in the entrance of the new gate to the LORD's Temple. 11Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and to all the people, “This man deserves to die; for he has prophesied against this city. You heard it with your own ears.” 12Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people, “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this Temple and against this city all these words that you have heard. 13 Now, mend your ways and your actions, and obey the voice of the LORD, your God, and the LORD will relent and not implement all that He has decreed against you. 14But as for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever seems good and right to you. 15But be assured that if you put me to death, you shall surely bring the guilt of innocent blood upon yourselves, this city, and its inhabitants; for of a truth, the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.” 16Then the officials and the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve to die; for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD, our God.” 17Then some of the elders of the land rose up, and addressed the assembly of the people: 18”Micah, the Morasthite, prophesied in the days of Hezekiah, king of Judah, and told all the people of Judah, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the Temple hill of the house will be overgrown with thickets like a forest”. 19Did Hezekiah, and all Judah put Micah to death? Did Hezekiah not fear the LORD, and seek the favor of the LORD, and then the LORD relented of the punishment which He had pronounced against them? We risk bringing disaster upon ourselves and our souls.’

20“And there was also a man, Urijah, son of Shemaiah of Kiriath-jearim, who prophesied in the name of the LORD the same things that Jeremiah did against this city and this land. 21And when Jehoiakim, the king, with all his officials, heard his words, the king was determined to put Urijah to death; but when Urijah heard of it, he fled into Egypt. 22And King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt, namely, Elnathan, son of Achbor, with certain other men into Egypt; 23And they fetched Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him before King Jehoiakim, who had him killed with the sword, and had his dead body thrown into the burial place of common people.” 24But then Ahikam, son of Shaphan, rose in support of Jeremiah, so that he was not handed over to the people to be put him to death.