5. But if you will not hear these words, I swear by myself,
6. For thus says the LORD unto the king's house of Judah;
7. And I will prepare destroyers against you, everyone with his weapons: and they shall cut down your choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.
8. And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbor, Why has the LORD done thus unto this great city?
9. Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshiped other gods, and served them.
10. Weep not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep bitterly for him that goes away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.
11. For thus says the LORD concerning Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, who reigned instead of Josiah his father, who went forth out of this place;
12. But he shall die in the place where they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more.
13. Woe unto him that builds his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that uses his neighbor's service without wages, and gives him nothing for his work;
14. That says, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cuts him out windows for it; and it is paneled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.
15. Shall you reign, because you enclose yourself in cedar? did not your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness, and then it was well with him?
16. He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me?