⁴ But today I am ·freeing [releasing] you from the ·chains [fetters] on your ·wrists [^Lhands]. If ·you want to [^Lit is good in your eyes], come with me to Babylon, and I will ·take good care of you [^Lset my eyes on you]. But if ·you don’t want to come [^Lit is wrong/evil/bad in your eyes to come with me to Babylon], then ·don’t [fine]. Look, the whole country is open to you. Go wherever ·you wish [^Lit is good and right in your eyes].” ⁵ Before Jeremiah turned to leave, Nebuzaradan said, “Or go back to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan. The king of Babylon has ·chosen [appointed] him to be governor over the towns of Judah. Go and ·live [stay] with Gedaliah among the people, or go anywhere ·you want [^Lit is right in your eyes].”

Then Nebuzaradan gave Jeremiah some ·food [provisions] and a ·present [gift] and let him go. ⁶ So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah [^Cperhaps Tell en-Nasbeh eight miles north of Jerusalem; Judg. 20:1–3; 1 Sam. 7:5–14; 10:17–24] and stayed with him there. He lived among the people who ·were left behind in Judah [^Lremained in the land].