4 So Johanan, the son of Kareah, disobeyed the Lord's command. So did all of the other army officers and all of the people. They didn't stay in the land of Judah.
5 Instead Johanan, the son of Kareah, and all of the other army officers led away all of the people who were left in Judah. Those people had returned to Judah from all of the nations where they had been scattered.
6 Johanan and the other officers also led away many people Nebuzaradan had left in Mizpah. They included men, women and children. They also included women who were members of the royal court. Nebuzaradan had left them with Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam. He had also left them with the prophet Jeremiah and Baruch, the son of Neriah. Nebuzaradan was commander of the royal guard. Ahikam was the son of Shaphan.
7 So the Jewish leaders disobeyed the Lord. They took everyone to Egypt. They went all the way to Tahpanhes.
8 In Tahpanhes a message came to me from the Lord. He said,
9 "Make sure the Jews are watching you. Then get some large stones. Go to the entrance to Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes. Bury the stones in the clay under the brick walkway there.
10 "Then tell the Jews, 'The Lord who rules over all is the God of Israel. He says, "I will send for my servant Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylonia. And I will set his throne over these stones that are buried here. He will set up his royal tent over them.