12 Jeremiah started to leave Jerusalem to go to the land of Benjamin to claim his portion there among the people.
13 But when he was at the Benjamin Gate, an officer of the guard was there, whose name was Irijah son of Shelemiah, son of Hananiah, and he apprehended Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “You are deserting to the Chaldeans.”
14 “That’s a lie,” Jeremiah replied. “I am not deserting to the Chaldeans! ” Irijah would not listen to him but apprehended Jeremiah and took him to the officials.
15 The officials were angry at Jeremiah and beat him and placed him in jail in the house of Jonathan the scribe, for it had been made into a prison.
16 So Jeremiah went into a cell in the dungeon and stayed there many days.
17 King Zedekiah later sent for him and received him, and in his house privately asked him, “Is there a word from the Lord? ” “There is,” Jeremiah responded, and he continued, “You will be handed over to the king of Babylon.”
18 Then Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, “How have I sinned against you or your servants or these people that you have put me in prison?