Gedaliah’s counsel

7When all the commanders of the forces who were in the open country, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam over the land, and that he had entrusted to him men, women, children, and some of the poorest of the land, from those who had not been exiled to Babylon,

8Then Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of the Maacathite—they and their men—came to Gedaliah at Mizpah.

9Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, swore to them and to their men, saying, “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well for you.”

10As for me, behold, I am staying at Mizpah to stand before the Chaldeans who come to us. But you, gather wine, summer fruit, and oil, put them in your containers, and dwell in your cities that you have taken.