1. Thus said Adonai: “Go down to the palace of the king of Judah and speak this word:
2. ‘Hear the word of Adonai, O king of Judah, who sits on the throne of David—you, your servants, and your people who enter by these gates.’
3. Thus says Adonai: ‘Execute justice and righteousness. Rescue the one who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor. Do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the fatherless or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.
4. For if you really carry out this word, then through the gates of this palace will enter kings sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses—himself, his servants, and his people.
5. But if you will not obey these words, I swear by Myself,’ declares Adonai, ‘that this palace will become a ruin.’”
6. For thus says Adonai concerning the house of the king of Judah: “You are Gilead to Me— the summit of Lebanon, yet I will surely make you into a wilderness, uninhabited cities.
7. I will consecrate destroyers against you, each with his own weapons. They will cut down your choice cedars and cast them into the fire.
8. Many nations will pass by this city, and they will say, each to his neighbor, ‘Why has Adonai done such a thing to this great city?’
9. Then they will answer: ‘Because they abandoned the covenant of Adonai their God, and worshipped other gods and served them.’”
10. Weep not for the dead or bemoan him. Weep bitterly for him who departs, for he will never return, or see his native country again.
11. For thus says Adonai to Shallum, son of King Josiah of Judah, who became king in place of his father Josiah: “He who went forth from this place will never return there.
12. Instead, in the place where they led him captive, there will he die—he will see this land no more.”
13. Oy to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his roof-chambers by injustice, that makes his neighbor work without pay, never giving him his wages,