Then KingZedekiahsaidto Jeremiah,"I dreadthe Jewswhohave goneoverto the Chaldeans,for they may giveme over into their handand they will abuseme."
So the courierspassedfrom cityto citythrough the countryof Ephraimand Manasseh,and as faras Zebulun,but they laughedthem to scornand mockedthem.
Now it cameabout that whenSanballatheardthat we were rebuildingthe wall,he becamefuriousand veryangryand mockedthe Jews.
BecauseI fearedthe greatmultitude,And the contemptof familiesterrifiedme, And keptsilentand did not goout of doors?
The fearof manbringsa snare,But he who trustsin the LORDwill be exalted.
"Of whomwere you worriedand fearfulWhenyou lied,and did not rememberMe Norgive[Me] a thought?Was I not silenteven for a longtimeSo you do not fearMe?
O LORD,You have deceivedme and I was deceived;You have overcomeme and prevailed.I have becomea laughingstockalldaylong; Everyonemocksme.
Then behold,allof the womenwhohave been leftin the palaceof the kingof Judahare going to be broughtout to the officersof the kingof Babylon;and thosewomenwill say,"Your closefriendsHave misledand overpoweredyou; While your feetwere sunkin the mire,They turnedback."
So KingZedekiahsaid,"Behold,he is in your hands;for the kingcan[do] nothingagainst you."
As for the restof the peoplewho were leftin the city,the deserterswhohad goneoverto him and the restof the peoplewho remained,Nebuzaradanthe captainof the bodyguardcarried[them] into exilein Babylon.
Neverthelessmanyevenof the rulersbelievedin Him, but becauseof the Phariseesthey were not confessing[Him], for fearthat they would be put out of the synagogue;
It so happenedwhen they were in highspirits,that they said,"Callfor Samson,that he may amuseus." So they calledfor Samsonfrom the prison,and he entertainedthem. And they made him standbetweenthe pillars.
Then he calledquicklyto the youngman,his armorbearer,and saidto him, "Drawyour swordand killme, sothat it will not be saidof me, 'A womanslewhim.'" So the youngmanpiercedhim through,and he died.
Then Saulsaidto Samuel,"I have sinned;I have indeedtransgressedthe commandof the LORDand your words,becauseI fearedthe peopleand listenedto their voice.
Then Saulsaidto his armorbearer,"Drawyour swordand pierceme throughwith it, otherwisetheseuncircumcisedwill comeand pierceme throughand makesportof me." But his armorbearerwouldnot, for he was greatlyafraid.So Saultookhis swordand fellon it.
