⁴ But today I am freeing^(A) you from the chains^(B) on your wrists. Come with me to Babylon, if you like, and I will look after you; but if you do not want to, then don’t come. Look, the whole country lies before you; go wherever you please.”^{(C) 5} However, before Jeremiah turned to go,^[a] Nebuzaradan added, “Go back to Gedaliah^(D) son of Ahikam,^(E) the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed^(F) over the towns^(G) of Judah, and live with him among the people, or go anywhere else you please.”^(H)

Then the commander gave him provisions and a present^(I) and let him go. ⁶ So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah^(J) and stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land.