At last the princes, enraged over the repeated counsels of Jeremiah, which were contrary to their set policy of resistance, made a vigorous protest before the king, urging 456 that the prophet was an enemy to the nation, and that his words had weakened the hands of the people and brought misfortune upon them; therefore he should be put to death.

Fyrsterne blev ophidsede over, at Jeremias blev ved at komme med råd, som krydsede deres planer om at yde modstand. Til sidst protesterede de energisk over for kongen og gjorde gældende, at profeten var nationen fjendtlig sindet, og at han med sine ord havde svækket folkets hænder og forårsaget deres ulykke. Af denne grund fortjente han at dø.