Then Gedaliahthe sonof Ahikam,the sonof Shaphan,sworeto them and to their men,saying,"Do not be afraidof servingthe Chaldeans;stayin the landand servethe kingof Babylon,that it may gowellwith you.
"When he sawthat a restingplacewas goodAnd that the landwas pleasant,He bowedhis shoulderto bear[burdens], And becamea slaveat forcedlabor.
Gedaliahsworeto them and their menand saidto them, "Do not be afraidof the servantsof the Chaldeans;livein the landand servethe kingof Babylon,and it will be wellwith you."
Whenyou shall eatof the fruitof your hands,You will be happyand it will be wellwith you.
Trustin the LORDand dogood;Dwellin the landand cultivatefaithfulness.
"But the nationwhichwill bringits neckunder the yokeof the kingof Babylonand servehim, I will let remainon its land,"declaresthe LORD,"and they will tillit and dwellin it."'"
Howlonelysitsthe cityThat was fullof people!She has becomelike a widowWhowas [once] greatamong the nations!She who was a princessamong the provincesHas becomea forcedlaborer!
We getour breadat the risk of our livesBecauseof the swordin the wilderness.
