17. But you are always thinking and lookingfor ways to increase your wealth by dishonest means.Your eyes and your heart are set on killing some innocent person and committing fraud and oppression.
18. So the Lord has this to say about Josiah’s son, King Jehoiakim of Judah:People will not mourn for him, saying,“This makes me sad, my brother! This makes me sad, my sister!”They will not mourn for him, saying,“Poor, poor lord! Poor, poor majesty!”
19. He will be left unburied just like a dead donkey.His body will be dragged off and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem.’”
20. People of Jerusalem, go up to Lebanon and cry out in mourning.Go to the land of Bashan and cry out loudly.Cry out in mourning from the mountains of Moab.For your allies have all been defeated.
21. While you were feeling secure I gave you warning.But you said, “I refuse to listen to you.”That is the way you have acted from your earliest history onward.Indeed, you have never paid attention to me.
22. My judgment will carry off all your leaders like a storm wind!Your allies will go into captivity.Then you will certainly be disgraced and put to shamebecause of all the wickedness you have done.
23. You may feel as secure as a birdnesting in the cedars of Lebanon.But oh how you will groan when the pains of judgment come on you.They will be like those of a woman giving birth to a baby.
24. The Lord says, “As surely as I am the living God, you, Jeconiah, king of Judah, son of Jehoiakim, will not be the earthly representative of my authority. Indeed, I will take that right away from you.