Глава 37

The God-wise Prophet, starting the story of the capture of the city, first informs at what age Zedekiah began to reign, how long he reigned, and how during the siege, having learned about the predictions uttered by the Prophet about him and the city, through those sent to the Prophet he asked to bring prayer to God for him. At the same time, Jeremiah was no longer in prison, but fearlessly walked around the city. And when the Babylonians besieged the city, the Egyptians came to the aid of the Jews, apparently called by the king to assist; and the Chaldeans, having learned of this, lifted the siege. Therefore, the Sovereign God commanded the Prophet to tell the king and the rulers not to rely on the help of the Egyptians, not to neglect the Chaldeans; because the Egyptians will very soon return to their homeland, and the Chaldeans, approaching again, will besiege the city and set it on fire. And declaring that God Himself pronounced this judgment over Jerusalem, the Prophet adds the following: Jer.37:10. And if you defeat all the strength of the Chaldeans who are fighting against you, and some ulcers remain in them, each in their place, they will arise and burn this city with fire. Do not think that you will overcome the power of the Chaldeans; because for your ultimate destruction, a few ulcers who, due to weakness, remained in the tents, are enough. For sin has made you weak. Then the Prophet informs that, during the cessation of hostilities, after the retreat of the Chaldeans from the city, he went from Jerusalem to his household, with the intention of buying bread. But a certain Saruiah, suspecting him that he wanted to flee to the enemies, reported this to the princes; They, having heard about this, imprisoned Jeremiah, not in a public prison, because it, as it is said, was full 18, but (Jer. 37:15) “in the house of Jonathan the bookworm.” After a sufficient number of days had passed, Zedekiah secretly called to him and asked: (Jer. 37:17) “Is there a word from the Lord?” The Prophet predicts his captivity, and according to the prediction, he complains about the injustice done to him, for he says: Jer.37:18. “How have you offended you and your servants, because you brought me into the prison house?” Jer.37:19. “And where are your prophets who prophesied to you, saying: Lest the king of Babylon come against you in this land?” that is, when the deeds themselves proved the truth of my prophecy and the falsity of your prophets, it was necessary to judge fairly and punish those who spoke lies, and those who did not predict what was true. Then the Prophet asks to free him from the book-reading house; and Zedekiah brought him out from there, sent him to the public prison, and ordered him to be given one piece of bread every day. These seventy words are unreadable.