4. the Babylonian troops broke through the city wall. That same night, Zedekiah and his soldiers tried to escape through the gate near the royal garden, even though they knew the enemy had the city surrounded. They headed towards the desert,
5. but the Babylonian troops caught up with them near Jericho. They arrested Zedekiah, but his soldiers scattered in every direction.
6. Zedekiah was taken to Riblah, where Nebuchadnezzar put him on trial and found him guilty.
7. Zedekiah's sons were killed right in front of him. His eyes were then put out, and he was put in chains and dragged off to Babylon.
8. About a month later, in Nebuchadnezzar's nineteenth year as king, Nebuzaradan, who was his official in charge of the guards, arrived in Jerusalem.
9. Nebuzaradan burnt down the Lord's temple, the king's palace, and every important building in the city, as well as all the houses.
10. Then he ordered the Babylonian soldiers to break down the walls around Jerusalem.
11. He led away as prisoners the people left in the city, including those who had become loyal to Nebuchadnezzar.
12. Only some of the poorest people were left behind to work the vineyards and the fields.
13. The Babylonian soldiers took the two bronze columns that stood in front of the temple, the ten moveable bronze stands, and the large bronze bowl called the Sea. They broke them into pieces so they could take the bronze to Babylonia.
14. They carried off the bronze things used for worship at the temple, including the pans for hot ashes, and the shovels, snuffers, and also the dishes for incense,