¹ It came to pass, when the children of Israel were taken captive by the king of the Chaldeans, that God spoke to Jeremiah saying: Jeremiah, my chosen [one] [servant], arise and depart from this city, you and Baruch, since I am going to destroy it because of the multitude of the sins of those who dwell in it. ² For your prayers are like a solid pillar in its midst, and like an indestructible wall surrounding it. ³ Now, then, arise and depart before the host of the Chaldeans surrounds it. ⁴ And Jeremiah answered, saying: I beseech you, Lord, permit me, your servant, to speak in your presence. ⁵ And the Lord said to him: Speak, my chosen [one] [servant] Jeremiah. ⁶ And Jeremiah spoke, saying: Lord Almighty, would you deliver the chosen city into the hands of the Chaldeans, so that the king with the multitude of his people might boast and say: “I have prevailed over the holy city of God”? ⁷ No, my Lord, but if it is your will, let it be destroyed by your hands. ⁸ And the Lord said to Jeremiah: Since you are my chosen one, arise and depart from this city, you and Baruch, for I am going to destroy it because of the multitude of the sins of those who dwell in it. ⁹ For neither the king nor his host will be able to enter it unless I first open its gates. ¹⁰ Arise, then, and go to Baruch, and tell him these words. ¹¹ And when you have arisen at the sixth hour of the night, go out on the city walls and I will show you that unless I first destroy the city, they cannot enter it. ¹² When the Lord had said this, he departed from Jeremiah.