Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists. Come with me to Babylon, if you like, and I will look after you; but if you do not want to, then don’t come. Look, the whole country lies before you; go wherever you please.” New Living Translation But I am going to take off your chains and let you go. If you want to come with me to Babylon, you are welcome. I will see that you are well cared for. But if you don’t want to come, you may stay here. The whole land is before you—go wherever you like. English Standard Version Now, behold, I release you today from the chains on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you well, but if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, do not come. See, the whole land is before you; go wherever you think it good and right to go. Berean Standard Bible But now, behold, I am freeing you today from the chains that were on your wrists. If it pleases you to come with me to Babylon, then come, and I will take care of you. But if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, go no farther. Look, the whole land is before you. Wherever it seems good and right to you, go there.” King James Bible And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go. New King James Version And now look, I free you this day from the chains that were on your hand. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you. But if it seems wrong for you to come with me to Babylon, remain here. See, all the land is before you; wherever it seems good and convenient for you to go, go there.” New American Standard Bible But now, behold, I am setting you free today from the chains that are on your hands. If you would prefer to come with me to Babylon, come along, and I will look after you; but if you would prefer not to come with me to Babylon, do not come. Look, the whole land is before you; go wherever it seems good and right for you to go.” NASB 1995 “But now, behold, I am freeing you today from the chains which are on your hands. If you would prefer to come with me to Babylon, come along, and I will look after you; but if you would prefer not to come with me to Babylon, never mind. Look, the whole land is before you; go wherever it seems good and right for you to go.” NASB 1977 “But now, behold, I am freeing you today from the chains which are on your hands. If you would prefer to come with me to Babylon, come along, and I will look after you; but if you would prefer not to come with me to Babylon, never mind. Look, the whole land is before you; go wherever it seems good and right for you to go.” Legacy Standard Bible So now, behold, I am freeing you today from the chains which are on your hands. If it is good in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, come along, and I will set my eyes to look after you; but if it is displeasing in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, never mind. Look, the whole land is before you; go wherever it seems good and right in your eyes to go.” Amplified Bible But now, listen carefully, [because of your innocence] I am freeing you today from the chains which are on your hands. If you would prefer to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you [carefully]; but if you would prefer not to come with me to Babylon, then do not do so. Look, all the land is before you; go wherever it seems good and right (convenient) for you to go.” Christian Standard Bible Now pay attention: Today I am setting you free from the chains that were on your hands. If it pleases you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will take care of you. But if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, go no farther. Look—the whole land is in front of you. Wherever it seems good and right for you to go, go there.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Now pay attention: Today I am setting you free from the chains that were on your hands. If it pleases you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will take care of you. But if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, go no farther. Look—the whole land is in front of you. Wherever it seems good and right for you to go, go there.” American Standard Version And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which are upon thy hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come, and I will look well unto thee; but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee; whither it seemeth good and right unto thee to go, thither go. Contemporary English Version Today I am taking the chains off your wrists and setting you free! If you want to, you can come with me to Babylonia, and I will see that you are taken care of. Or if you decide to stay here, you can go wherever you wish. English Revised Version And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which are upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come, and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee; whither it seemeth good and convenient unto thee to go, thither go. GOD'S WORD® Translation Today I'm removing the chains from your hands. If you would like to come with me to Babylon, come, and I'll look after you. But if you don't want to come with me to Babylon, don't come. The whole land is yours. Go wherever you want. Good News Translation Now, I am taking the chains off your wrists and setting you free. If you want to go to Babylonia with me, you may do so, and I will take care of you. But if you don't want to go, you don't have to. You have the whole country to choose from, and you may go wherever you wish." International Standard Version Now, look, I've freed you today from the chains that were on your hands. If you want to come with me to Babylon, come, and I'll look after you. But if you don't want to come with me to Babylon, don't. Look, the whole land lies before you, so go wherever it seems good and right for you to go." Majority Standard Bible But now, behold, I am freeing you today from the chains that were on your wrists. If it pleases you to come with me to Babylon, then come, and I will take care of you. But if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, go no farther. Look, the whole land is before you. Wherever it seems good and right to you, go there.? NET Bible But now, Jeremiah, today I will set you free from the chains on your wrists. If you would like to come to Babylon with me, come along and I will take care of you. But if you prefer not to come to Babylon with me, you are not required to do so. You are free to go anywhere in the land you want to go. Go wherever you choose." New Heart English Bible Now, look, I release you this day from the chains which are on your hand. If it seems good to you to come with me into Babylon, come, and I will take care of you; but if it seems bad to you to come with me into Babylon, do not: look, all the land is before you; where it seems good and right to you to go, there go." Webster's Bible Translation And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thy hand. If it seemeth good to thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well to thee: but if it seemeth ill to thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go. World English Bible Now, behold, I release you today from the chains which are on your hand. If it seems good to you to come with me into Babylon, come, and I will take care of you; but if it seems bad to you to come with me into Babylon, don’t. Behold, all the land is before you. Where it seems good and right to you to go, go there.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd now, behold, I have loosed you today from the chains that [are] on your hand; if [it is] good in your eyes to come with me [to] Babylon, come, and I keep my eye on you: and if [it is] evil in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, refrain; see, all the land [is] before you, to where [it is] good, and to where [it is] right in your eyes to go—go.” Young's Literal Translation And now, lo, I have loosed thee to-day from the chains that are on thy hand; if good in thine eyes to come with me to Babylon, come, and I keep mine eye upon thee: and if evil in thine eyes to come with me to Babylon, forbear; see, all the land is before thee, whither it be good, and whither it be right in thine eyes to go -- go.' -- Smith's Literal Translation And now behold I loosed thee this day from the manacles which were upon thy hand. If good in thine eyes to go with me to Babel, come; and I will set mine eye upon thee: and if evil in thine eyes to go with me to Babel, desist: see all the land before thee: if good and for the straight in thine eyes to go, go. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNow then behold I have loosed thee this day from the chains which were upon thy hands: if it please thee to come with me to Babylon, come : and I will set my eyes upon thee: but if it do not please thee to come with me to Babylon, stay here: behold all the land is before thee, as thou shalt choose, and whither it shall please thee to go, thither go. Catholic Public Domain Version Now therefore, behold, I have released you this day from the chains which were on your hands. If it pleases you to come with me into Babylon, then come. And I will set my eyes upon you. But if it displeases you to come with me into Babylon, then remain. Behold, all the land is in your sight. Whatever you will choose, and wherever it will please you to go, so shall you go, proceeding to that place. New American Bible Now, I release you today from the chains upon your hands; if you want to come with me to Babylon, then come: I will look out for you. But if you do not want to come to Babylon, very well. See, the whole land lies before you; go wherever you think good and proper. New Revised Standard Version Now look, I have just released you today from the fetters on your hands. If you wish to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will take good care of you; but if you do not wish to come with me to Babylon, you need not come. See, the whole land is before you; go wherever you think it good and right to go. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd now, behold, I release you this day from the chains which are upon your hands. If you wish to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will take good care of you; but if you do not wish to come with me to Babylon, remain here. Behold, all the land is before you; wherever it seems good and convenient for you to go, thither go. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated But you, behold, I release you today from the chains that are on your hands, if you choose to come with me to Babel, come, and my eyes shall be upon you, and if you have not desired to come with me to Babel, stay. Behold, all the land is before you; wherever it is good and wherever it is excellent in your eyes to go, go there” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which are upon thy hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come, and I will look well unto thee; but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear; behold, all the land is before thee; whither it seemeth good and right unto thee to go, thither go.-- Brenton Septuagint Translation Behold, I have loosed thee from the manacles that were upon thine hands. If it seem good to thee to go with me to Babylon, then will I set mine eyes upon thee. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jeremiah Remains in Judah…3and now the LORD has fulfilled it; He has done just as He said. Because you people have sinned against the LORD and have not obeyed His voice, this thing has happened to you. 4But now, behold, I am freeing you today from the chains that were on your wrists. If it pleases you to come with me to Babylon, then come, and I will take care of you. But if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, go no farther. Look, the whole land is before you. Wherever it seems good and right to you, go there.” 5But before Jeremiah turned to go, Nebuzaradan added, “Return to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the cities of Judah, and stay with him among the people, or go anywhere else that seems right.” Then the captain of the guard gave him a ration and a gift and released him.… Cross References Jeremiah 39:11-12 Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan captain of the guard, saying, / “Take him, look after him, and do not let any harm come to him; do for him whatever he says.” Jeremiah 38:17 Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, this city will not be burned down, and you and your household will survive. 2 Kings 25:27-30 On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month of the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Judah’s King Jehoiachin, in the year Evil-merodach became king of Babylon, he released King Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. / And he spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and set his throne above the thrones of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. / So Jehoiachin changed out of his prison clothes, and he dined regularly at the king’s table for the rest of his life. ... Isaiah 52:2 Shake off your dust! Rise up and sit on your throne, O Jerusalem. Remove the chains from your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion. Genesis 45:5-8 And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. / For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. / God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ... 2 Kings 25:22-24 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, over the people he had left behind in the land of Judah. / When all the commanders of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite, as well as their men. / And Gedaliah took an oath before them and their men, assuring them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you.” Jeremiah 15:11 The LORD said: “Surely I will deliver you for a good purpose; surely I will intercede with your enemy in your time of trouble, in your time of distress. Jeremiah 21:9 Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who besiege you will live; he will retain his life like a spoil of war. Jeremiah 24:5-7 “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. / I will keep My eyes on them for good and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. / I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart. Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. / Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. ... Acts 12:7-10 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. / “Get dressed and put on your sandals,” said the angel. Peter did so, and the angel told him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” / So Peter followed him out, but he was unaware that what the angel was doing was real. He thought he was only seeing a vision. ... Acts 16:26-28 Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose. / When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped. / But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!” Genesis 50:20 As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. Acts 27:3 The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration, allowing him to visit his friends and receive their care. Treasury of Scripture And now, behold, I loose you this day from the chains which were on your hand. If it seem good to you to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well to you: but if it seem ill to you to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before you: where it seems good and convenient for you to go, thither go. No references listed for this verse. Jump to Previous Babylon Bad Care Chains Convenient Freeing Good Hand Ill Loose Right Seem Seems Thither Today WhitherJump to Next Babylon Bad Care Chains Convenient Freeing Good Hand Ill Loose Right Seem Seems Thither Today WhitherJeremiah 40 1. Jeremiah, being set free by Nebuzaradan, goes to Gedaliah.7. The dispersed Jews repair unto him. 13. Johanan revealing Ishmael's conspiracy is not believed. But now, behold, I am freeing you today from the chains that were on your wrists. This phrase signifies a pivotal moment of liberation for Jeremiah, who had been bound in chains. The context is the aftermath of Jerusalem's fall to Babylon in 586 BC. Jeremiah, though a prophet of God, was caught up in the general deportation of the people. The chains symbolize the physical and spiritual bondage of the Israelites due to their disobedience. This act of freeing Jeremiah can be seen as a type of Christ's mission to liberate humanity from the bondage of sin. If it pleases you to come with me to Babylon, then come, and I will take care of you. But if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, go no farther. Look, the whole land is before you. Wherever it seems good and right to you, go there. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet of God who warned Judah of impending judgment and was later freed by the Babylonians. 2. Nebuzaradan The captain of the guard under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who released Jeremiah from his chains. 3. Babylon The empire that conquered Judah and Jerusalem, leading to the Babylonian exile. 4. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which faced destruction and exile due to its disobedience to God. 5. The Land Refers to the land of Judah, which Jeremiah is given the freedom to choose to stay in or leave. Teaching Points Divine LiberationGod orchestrates our freedom, both spiritually and physically. Just as Jeremiah was freed from his chains, believers are freed from the bondage of sin through Christ. Choice and Guidance God provides us with choices and the wisdom to make them. Jeremiah's freedom to choose where to go reflects the free will God grants us, along with His guidance. Trust in God's Provision Nebuzaradan's offer to care for Jeremiah in Babylon is a reminder that God provides for His people, even in foreign lands or difficult circumstances. Faithfulness in Uncertainty Jeremiah's situation teaches us to remain faithful and trust God, even when the future is uncertain or when we are given difficult choices. God's Sovereignty The unfolding events show God's control over nations and individuals, reminding us that He is sovereign over our lives and circumstances. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But now,וְעַתָּ֞ה (wə·‘at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 6258: At this time behold, הִנֵּ֧ה (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! I am freeing פִתַּחְתִּ֣יךָ (p̄it·taḥ·tî·ḵā) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve you today הַיּ֗וֹם (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day from מִֽן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of the chains הָאזִקִּים֮ (hā·ziq·qîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 246: A manacle that אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that were on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against your wrists. יָדֶךָ֒ (yā·ḏe·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not it pleases ט֨וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good you to come לָב֧וֹא (lā·ḇō·w) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go with אִתִּ֣י (’it·tî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among me to Babylon, בָבֶ֗ל (ḇā·ḇel) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city then come, בֹּ֚א (bō) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go and I will take care of וְאָשִׂ֤ים (wə·’ā·śîm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set you. עָלֶ֔יךָ (‘ā·le·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against But if וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not it seems wrong רַ֧ע (ra‘) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7489: To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad to you to come לָבֽוֹא־ (lā·ḇō·w-) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go with me אִתִּ֥י (’it·tî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among to Babylon, בָבֶ֖ל (ḇā·ḇel) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city go no farther. חֲדָ֑ל (ḥă·ḏāl) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 2308: To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle Look, רְאֵה֙ (rə·’êh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see the whole כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every land הָאָ֣רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land is before you. לְפָנֶ֔יךָ (lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 6440: The face Wherever it seems בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain good ט֨וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good and right הַיָּשָׁ֧ר (hay·yā·šār) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 3477: Straight, right for you to go, לָלֶ֥כֶת (lā·le·ḵeṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk go לֵֽךְ׃ (lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk there.? שָׁ֖מָּה (šām·māh) Adverb | third person feminine singular Strong's 8033: There, then, thither Links Jeremiah 40:4 NIVJeremiah 40:4 NLT Jeremiah 40:4 ESV Jeremiah 40:4 NASB Jeremiah 40:4 KJV Jeremiah 40:4 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 40:4 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 40:4 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 40:4 French Bible Jeremiah 40:4 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 40:4 Now behold I loose you this day (Jer.) |
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