8. “Also tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘This is what the Lord says: Understand that I will let you choose to live or die.
9. Anyone who stays in Jerusalem will die in war or from hunger or disease. But anyone who goes out of Jerusalem and surrenders to the Babylonians attacking you will live. Only those who leave the city will win anything in this war—their lives!
10. I have decided to make trouble for the city of Jerusalem. I will not help this city! I will give it to the king of Babylon, who will burn it with fire.’” This message is from the Lord.
11. “Say this to Judah’s royal family: ‘Listen to the message from the Lord.
12. Family of David, this is what the Lord says: “‘You must judge people fairly every day. Protect the victims from the criminals. If you don’t do that, I will become very angry. My anger will be like a fire that no one will be able to put out. This will happen because you have done evil things.’
13. “Jerusalem, I am against you. You sit on top of the mountain. You sit like a queen over this valley. You people of Jerusalem say, ‘No one can attack us. No one can come into our strong city.’” This message is from the Lord.