12 And I spoke to Zedekiah, the king of Judah, according to all these words, saying: "Subject your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and you will live.
13 Why should you suffer death, you and your people, by the sword, and famine, and pestilence, just as the Lord has spoken against any nation that refuses to serve the king of Babylon?
14 Do not choose to listen to the words of the prophets, saying to you: 'You will not serve the king of Babylon.' For they are speaking a lie to you.
15 For I have not sent them, says the Lord. And they prophesy falsely in my name, so that they may cast you out, and so that you may perish, both you and the prophets who make predictions for you."
16 I spoke also to the priests and to this people, saying: "Thus says the Lord: Do not choose to listen to the words of your prophets, who prophesy to you, saying: 'Behold, the vessels of the Lord will now quickly be returned from Babylon.' For they are prophesying to you a lie.
17 Therefore, do not choose to listen to them, but instead, serve the king of Babylon, so that you may live. Why should this city be given over into desolation?
18 But if they are prophets, and if the word of the Lord is in them, then let them intercede before the Lord of hosts, so that the vessels that were left behind in the house of the Lord, and in the house of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem, may not go to Babylon.