16. He took up the case of the poor and needy,then it went well.Is this not what it means to know Me?This is the Lord’s declaration.
17. But you have eyes and a heart for nothingexcept your own dishonest profit,shedding innocent bloodand committing extortion and oppression.
18. Therefore, this is what the Lord says concerning Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah:They will not mourn for him, saying,“Woe, my brother! ” or “Woe, my sister! ”They will not mourn for him, saying,“Woe, lord! Woe, his majesty! ”
19. He will be buried like a donkey, dragged off and thrownoutside the gates of Jerusalem.
20. Go up to Lebanon and cry out;raise your voice in Bashan;cry out from Abarim, for all your lovers have been crushed.
21. I spoke to you when you were secure.You said, “I will not listen.”This has been your way since youth; indeed, you have never listened to Me.
22. The wind will take charge of all your shepherds,and your lovers will go into captivity.Then you will be ashamed and humiliated because of all your evil.
23. You residents of Lebanon,nestled among the cedars,how you will groan when labor pains come on you,agony like a woman in labor.
24. “As I live,” says the Lord, “though you, Coniah son of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, were a signet ring on My right hand, I would tear you from it.