¹² But the commander left behind some of the poorest people^(A) of the land to work the vineyards and fields.

¹⁰ But Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people, who owned nothing; and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields.

² When the commander^(A) of the guard found Jeremiah, he said to him, “The Lord your God decreed^(B) this disaster^(C) for this place.^{(D) 3} And now the Lord has brought it about; he has done just as he said he would. All this happened because you people sinned^(E) against the Lord and did not obey^(F) him. ⁴ But today I am freeing^(G) you from the chains^(H) 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.”^{(I) 5} However, before Jeremiah turned to go,^[a] Nebuzaradan added, “Go back to Gedaliah^(J) son of Ahikam,^(K) the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed^(L) over the towns^(M) of Judah, and live with him among the people, or go anywhere else you please.”^(N)

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