“When the officials of Judah heard what was happening, they rushed over from the palace and sat down at the New Gate of the Temple to hold court. The priests and prophets presented their accusations to the officials and the people. ‘This man should die!’ they said. ‘You have heard with your own ears what a traitor he is, for he has prophesied against this city.’
Then Jeremiah spoke to the officials and the people in his own defense. ‘The Lord sent me to prophesy against this Temple and this city,’ he said. ‘The Lord gave me every word that I have spoken. But if you stop your sinning and begin to obey the Lord your God, He will change His mind about this disaster that He has announced against you. As for me, I am in your hands – do with me as you think is best. But if you kill me, rest assured that your will be killing an innocent man! The responsibility for such a deed will lie on you, on this city, and every person living in it. For it is absolutely true that the Lord sent me to speak every word you have heard.’
Then the officials and the people said to the priests and prophets, ‘This man does not deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the name of God.'” (vv. 10-16, NLT)