wherein there was no water, but
mire. And Jeremias sunk into the mire.

38:7. Now Abdemelech the Ethiopian, an eunuch that was in the king's
house, heard that they had put Jeremias in the dungeon: but the king was
sitting in the gate of Benjamin.

38:8. And Abdemelech went out of the king's house, and spoke to the
king, saying:

38:9. My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have
done against Jeremias the prophet, casting him into the dungeon to die
there with hunger, for there is no more bread in the city.

38:10. Then the king commanded Abdemelech the Ethiopian, saying: Take
from hence thirty men with thee, and draw up Jeremias the prophet out of
the dungeon, before he die.

38:11. So Abdemelech taking the men with him, went into the king's house
that was under the storehouse: and he took from thence old rags, and old
rotten things, and he let them down by cords to Jeremias into the
dungeon.

38:12. And Abdemelech the Ethiopian said to Jeremias: Put these old rags
and these rent and rotten things under thy arms, and upon the cords: and
Jeremias did so.

38:13. And they drew up Jeremias with the cords, and brought him forth
out of the dungeon. And Jeremias remained in the entry of the prison.

38:14. And king Sedecias sent, and took Jeremias the prophet to him to
the third gate, that was in the house of the Lord: and the king said to
Jeremias: I will ask thee a thing, hide nothing from me.

38:15. Then Jeremias said to Sedecias: If I shall declare it to thee,
wilt thou not put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, thou wilt not
hearken to me.

38:16. Then king Sedecias swore to Jeremias, in private, saying: As the
Lord liveth, that, made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, nor
will I deliver thee into the hands of these men that seek thy life.

38:17. And Jeremias said to Sedecias: Thus saith the Lord of hosts the
God of Israel: If thou wilt take a resolution and go out to the princes
of the king of Babylon, thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be
burnt with fire: and thou shalt be safe, and thy house.

38:18. But if thou wilt not go out to the princes of the king of
Babylon, this city shall be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans,
and they shall burn it with fire: and thou shalt not escape out of their
hand.

38:19. And king Sedecias said to Jeremias: I am afraid because of the
Jews that are fled over to the Chaldeans: lest I should be delivered
into their h