Zedekiah
Jeremiah, I have summoned thee to hold counsel with me. No man knoweth that to this end I have drawn thee from the pit where thou hast been prisoned. Wilt thou advise me truly?
Jeremiah
God helping me, I will.
Zedekiah
Know, then, what none other knows save my innermost counselors. An envoy has come from Nebuchadnezzar, seeking to end the war between our nations.
Jeremiah
[Exultantly] God be praised! Open the gates, open thy heart to humbleness.
Zedekiah
Rejoice not too soon. Hard are the terms and measureless is the arrogancy of the king of Ashur.