ut of the temple of Jerusalem to his own gods, and planted
the people in the country of Babylon, but freed the high priest from his
bonds.

CHAPTER 9. How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over The Jews That Were Left In
Judea Which Gedaliah Was A Little Afterward Slain By Ishmael; And How
Johanan After Ishmael Was Driven Away Went Down Into Egypt With The
People Which People Nebuchadnezzar When He Made An Expedition Against
The Egyptians Took Captive And Brought Them Away To Babylon.

1. Now the general of the army, Nebuzaradan, when he had carried the
people of the Jews into captivity, left the poor, and those that had
deserted, in the country, and made one, whose name was Gedaliah, the son
of Ahikam, a person of a noble family, their governor; which Gedaliah
was of a gentle and righteous disposition. He also commanded them that
they should cultivate the ground, and pay an appointed tribute to the
king. He also took Jeremiah the prophet out of prison, and would have
persuaded him to go along with him to Babylon, for that he had been
enjoined by the king to supply him with whatsoever he wanted; and if he
did not like to do so, he desired him to inform him where he resolved to
dwell, that he might signify the same to the king. But the prophet had
no mind to follow him, nor to dwell any where else, but would gladly
live in the ruins of his country, and in the miserable remains of it.
When the general understood what his purpose was, he enjoined Gedaliah,
whom he left behind, to take all possible care of him, and to supply him
with whatsoever he wanted. So when he had given him rich presents, he
dismissed him. Accordingly, Jeremiah abode in a city of that country,
which was called Mispah; and desired of Nebuzaradan that he would set
at liberty his disciple Baruch, the son of Neriah, one of a very eminent
family, and exceeding skillful in the language of his country.

2. When Nebuzaradan had done thus, he made haste to Babylon. But as
to those that fled away during the siege of Jerusalem, and had been
scattered over the country, when they heard that the Babylonians were
gone away, and had left a remnant in the land of Jerusalem, and those
such as were to cultivate the same, they came together from all parts to
Gedaliah to Mispah. Now the rulers that were over them were Johanan, the
son of Kareah, and Jezaniah, and Seraiah, and others beside them.
Now there was of the royal family one Ishmael, a wicked man, and very
crafty