Jeremiah dictates his prophecies to his trusted scribe Baruch, who reads it to the people. The King's council then hears the scroll, and many of the leaders are rifghtened by what they hear. Hoping for a movement of true repentance, they bring it to the King's attention. However the king is enraged and he burns the scroll. Instead of heeding God's word, he orders the arrest of Jeremiah and Baruch.