The Daily RootedHome StoriesGradesChurchesWhat's NewAbout

Jeremiah 37: Jeremiah in Prison

In Jeremiah 37 King Zedekiah asks Jeremiah to pray for the people, but he does not listen to God's words. When Babylon's army leaves for a while, Jeremiah tries to go to the land of Benjamin. A guard says he is running to the enemy, and the princes put him in prison. Later the king secretly asks Jeremiah if there is a word from God. Jeremiah tells the truth. The king moves him to the court of the guard and gives him bread each day.

Go to worksheets ↓

Bible:

Read Jeremiah 37

World English Bible · 21 verses

  1. 1 Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned as king instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  2. 2 But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, listened to Yahweh’s words, which he spoke by the prophet Jeremiah.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  3. 3 Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “Pray now to Yahweh our God for us.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  4. 4 Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people, for they had not put him into prison.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  5. 5 Pharaoh’s army had come out of Egypt; and when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard news of them, they withdrew from Jerusalem.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  6. 6 Then Yahweh’s word came to the prophet Jeremiah, saying,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  7. 7 “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘You shall tell the king of Judah, who sent you to me to inquire of me: “Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which has come out to help you, will return to Egypt into their own land.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  8. 8 The Chaldeans will come again, and fight against this city. They will take it and burn it with fire.”’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  9. 9 “Yahweh says, ‘Don’t deceive yourselves, saying, “The Chaldeans will surely depart from us;” for they will not depart.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  10. 10 For though you had struck the whole army of the Chaldeans who fight against you, and only wounded men remained among them, they would each rise up in his tent and burn this city with fire.’”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  11. 11 When the army of the Chaldeans had withdrawn from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh’s army,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  12. 12 then Jeremiah went out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to receive his portion there, in the middle of the people.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  13. 13 When he was in Benjamin’s gate, a captain of the guard was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he seized Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “You are defecting to the Chaldeans!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  14. 14 Then Jeremiah said, “That is false! I am not defecting to the Chaldeans.” But he didn’t listen to him; so Irijah seized Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  15. 15 The princes were angry with Jeremiah, and struck him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe; for they had made that the prison.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  16. 16 When Jeremiah had come into the dungeon house and into the cells, and Jeremiah had remained there many days,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  17. 17 then Zedekiah the king sent and had him brought out. The king asked him secretly in his house, “Is there any word from Yahweh?” Jeremiah said, “There is.” He also said, “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  18. 18 Moreover Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, “How have I sinned against you, against your servants, or against this people, that you have put me in prison?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  19. 19 Now where are your prophets who prophesied to you, saying, ‘The king of Babylon will not come against you, nor against this land’?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  20. 20 Now please hear, my lord the king: please let my supplication be presented before you, that you not cause me to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  21. 21 Then Zedekiah the king commanded, and they committed Jeremiah into the court of the guard. They gave him daily a loaf of bread out of the bakers’ street, until all the bread in the city was gone. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

  1. 1Pick a grade below
  2. 2Look over the worksheet
  3. 3Tap Print worksheet. Print the answer key separately.

Pick a grade:

Answer key (print separately)More print options ↓

Jeremiah 37 · Preschool

Brave and Truthful

Name Date

Color Jeremiah getting his bread each day. God took care of him!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people, for they had not put him into prison.”

Jeremiah 37:4 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Then explain that Jeremiah was put in prison for telling God's message. But he kept telling the truth, and God made sure he had bread each day. Talk about telling the truth even when it is hard.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.

‹ All Jeremiah chapters · All books