country,
while he, in a way of threatening, warned them to flee to the enemy,
and told them that the city should certainly be taken, and be utterly
destroyed.

5. But for the king himself, he was not at all irritated against
Jeremiah, such was his gentle and righteous disposition; yet, that he
might not be engaged in a quarrel with those rulers at such a time, by
opposing what they intended, he let them do with the prophet whatsoever
they would; whereupon, when the king had granted them such a permission,
they presently came into the prison, and took him, and let him down with
a cord into a pit full of mire, that he might be suffocated, and die of
himself. So he stood up to the neck in the mire which was all about him,
and so continued; but there was one of the king's servants, who was in
esteem with him, an Ethiopian by descent, who told the king what a state
the prophet was in, and said that his friends and his rulers had done
evil in putting the prophet into the mire, and by that means contriving
against him that he should suffer a death more bitter than that by
his bonds only. When the king heard this, he repented of his having
delivered up the prophet to the rulers, and bid the Ethiopian take
thirty men of the king's guards, and cords with them, and whatsoever
else they understood to be necessary for the prophet's preservation, and
to draw him up immediately. So the Ethiopian took the men he was ordered
to take, and drew up the prophet out of the mire, and left him at
liberty [in the prison].

6. But when the king had sent to call him privately, and inquired what
he could say to him from God, which might be suitable to his present
circumstances, and desired him to inform him of it, Jeremiah replied,
that he had somewhat to say; but he said withal, he should not be
believed, nor, if he admonished them, should be hearkened to; "for,"
said he, "thy friends have determined to destroy me, as though I had
been guilty of some wickedness; and where are now those men who deceived
us, and said that the king of Babylon would not come and fight against
us any more? but I am afraid now to speak the truth, lest thou shouldst
condemn me to die." And when the king had assured him upon oath, that
he would neither himself put him to death, nor deliver him up to the
rulers, he became bold upon that assurance that was given him, and gave
him this advice: That he should deliver the city up to the Babylonians;
and he said that it was