THE REMAINDER OF JEREMIAH THE PROPHET
It happened that when the children of Israel were taken captive by the king of the Chaldeans, God spoke to Jeremiah, saying, “Jeremiah, my chosen one, arise and go out from this city, you and Baruch; for I will destroy it because of the multitude of sins of those who dwell in it.”
For your prayers are like a firm pillar in its midst, and like an adamant wall surrounding it.
Now therefore, arise and go out before the Chaldean power encircles it.
And Jeremiah answered, saying, “I beseech you, Lord, permit me, your servant, to speak before you.”
And the Lord said to him, “Speak, my chosen one, Jeremiah.”
And Jeremiah spoke, saying, “Lord Almighty, are you delivering the chosen city into the hands of the Chaldeans, so that the king may boast with the multitude of his people and say, ‘I have prevailed over the holy city of God’?”
“No, my Lord! But if it is your will, let it be destroyed by your own hands.”
And the Lord said to Jeremiah, “Because you are my chosen one, arise and go out from this city, you and Baruch; for I will destroy it because of the multitude of sins of those who dwell in it.”
“For neither the king nor his power will be able to enter it, unless I first open its gates.”
“Therefore, arise and go to Baruch, and tell him these words.”
“And rising at the sixth hour of the night, come to the walls of the city, and I will show you that unless I first destroy the city, they cannot enter it.”
Having said these things, the Lord departed from Jeremiah.
And Jeremiah ran and reported these things to Baruch. And when they came to the temple of God, Jeremiah tore his clothes and put dust on his head and entered the sanctuary of God.
When Baruch saw him with dust sprinkled on his head and his clothes torn, he cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Father Jeremiah, what has happened to you, or what sin has the people committed?”
For whenever the people sinned, Jeremiah would sprinkle dust on his head and pray for the people until the sin was forgiven.
And Baruch asked him, saying, “Father, what is this?”
And Jeremiah said to him, “Refrain from tearing your clothes, but rather let us tear our hearts; and let us not draw water for the troughs, but let us weep and fill them with tears; for the Lord will not have mercy on this people.”
And Baruch said, “Father Jeremiah, what has happened?”
And Jeremiah said, “God is delivering the city into the hands of the king of the Chaldeans, to take the people captive into Babylon.”
When Baruch heard these things, he also tore his clothes and said, “Father Jeremiah, who revealed this to you?”
And Jeremiah said to him, “Wait with me a little while until the sixth hour of the night, so that you may know that this word is true.”
So they both remained in the altar area, weeping, and their clothes were torn.