5. But if you do not obey my commands, then I swear to you that this palace will fall into ruins. I, the Lord, have spoken.
6. “To me, Judah's royal palace is as beautiful as the land of Gilead and as the Lebanon Mountains; but I will make it a desolate place where no one lives.
7. I am sending men to destroy it. They will all bring their axes, cut down its beautiful cedar pillars, and throw them into the fire.
8. “Afterwards many foreigners will pass by and ask one another why I, the Lord, have done such a thing to this great city.
9. Then they will answer that it is because you have abandoned your covenant with me, your God, and have worshipped and served other gods.”
10. People of Judah, do not weep for King Josiah;do not mourn his death.But weep bitterly for Joahaz, his son;they are taking him away, never to return,never again to see the land where he was born.
11. The Lord says concerning Josiah's son Joahaz, who succeeded his father as king of Judah, “He has gone away from here, never to return.