There was still opportunity for the king to reveal a willingness to heed the warnings of Jehovah, and thus to temper with mercy the judgments even now falling on city and nation. "If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes," was the message given the king, "then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with 457 fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house: but if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand."

Kongen kunne endnu nå at vise sin vilje til at rette sig efter Herrens advarsler og derved opnå, at de straffedomme, som allerede var begyndt at falde over byen og folket, blev mildnet. "Hvis du overgiver dig til Babels konges fyrster," lød budskabet til kongen, "skal du redde dit liv; denne by skal ikke afbrændes, og du og dit hus skal blive i live; men overgiver du dig ikke til dem, skal byen gives i kaldæernes hånd, og de skal afbrænde den, og du skal ikke undslippe deres hånd."