-natured towards men.

CHAPTER 6. How Nebuchadnezzar, When He Had Conquered The King Of Egypt
Made An Expedition Against The Jews, And Slew Jehoiakim, And Made
Jeholachin His Son King.

1. Now in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, one whose name was
Nebuchadnezzar took the government over the Babylonians, who at the
same time went up with a great army to the city Carchemish, which was
at Euphrates, upon a resolution he had taken to fight with Neco king
of Egypt, under whom all Syria then was. And when Neco understood the
intention of the king of Babylon, and that this expedition was made
against him, he did not despise his attempt, but made haste with a great
band of men to Euphrates to defend himself from Nebuchadnezzar; and when
they had joined battle, he was beaten, and lost many ten thousands
[of his soldiers] in the battle. So the king of Babylon passed over
Euphrates, and took all Syria, as far as Pelusium, excepting Judea. But
when Nebuchadnezzar had already reigned four years, which was the eighth
of Jehoiakim's government over the Hebrews, the king of Babylon made an
expedition with mighty forces against the Jews, and required tribute of
Jehoiakim, and threatened upon his refusal to make war against him. He
was aftrighted at his threatening, and bought his peace with money, and
brought the tribute he was ordered to bring for three years.

2. But on the third year, upon hearing that the king of the Babylonians
made an expedition against the Egyptians, he did not pay his tribute;
yet was he disappointed of his hope, for the Egyptians durst not fight
at this time. And indeed the prophet Jeremiah foretold every day, how
vainly they relied on their hopes from Egypt, and how the city would
be overthrown by the king of Babylon, and Jehoiakim the king would be
subdued by him. But what he thus spake proved to be of no advantage to
them, because there were none that should escape; for both the multitude
and the rulers, when they heard him, had no concern about what they
heard; but being displeased at what was said, as if the prophet were a
diviner against the king, they accused Jeremiah, and bringing him before
the court, they required that a sentence and a punishment might be given
against him. Now all the rest gave their votes for his condemnation, but
the elders refused, who prudently sent away the prophet from the court
of [the prison], and persuaded the rest to do Jeremiah no harm; for they
said th