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Johanan (speaking for the rest): 14 Are you aware that Ishmael (son of Nethaniah) has been hired by Baalis, the king of the Ammonites, to kill you?

But Gedaliah (son of Ahikam) had not heard of this threat and was not inclined to believe them. 15 So while he was in Mizpah, Johanan asked to speak with Gedaliah privately.

Johanan: Authorize me to go and kill Ishmael (son of Nethaniah). No one will know what happened. Should he be allowed to kill you just because he thinks you’re a pawn of Babylon? Think of what will happen to those Jews who have returned home and look to you as their leader. They will be scattered again, left to die because Babylon would consider this an act of aggression against them.

Gedaliah: 16 Do not kill him! What you are saying about Ishmael is not true!

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14 and said to him, “Don’t you know that Baalis king of the Ammonites(A) has sent Ishmael(B) son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah son of Ahikam did not believe them.

15 Then Johanan(C) son of Kareah said privately to Gedaliah in Mizpah, “Let me go and kill(D) Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he take your life and cause all the Jews who are gathered around you to be scattered(E) and the remnant(F) of Judah to perish?”

16 But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan(G) son of Kareah, “Don’t do such a thing! What you are saying about Ishmael is not true.”

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