4And now, behold, I release you this day from the chains which were upon your hand. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come; and I will look well to you: but if it seems bad to you to come with me to Babylon, hold back: behold, all the land is before you: wherever it seems good and convenient for you to go, there go.
5Now while he had not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wherever it seems convenient for you to go. So the captain of the guard gave him provisions and a reward, and let him go.
6Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people who were left in the land.
7Now when all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed to him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of those who were not carried away captive to Babylon;
8Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
9And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan swore to them and to their men, saying, Do not fear to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
10As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, who will come to us: but you, gather wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that you have taken.