1. The Lord said to me, "Jeremiah, go down to the palace of the king of Judah. Announce my message there. Tell him,
2. 'King of Judah, listen to the Lord's message. You are sitting on David's throne. You and your officials and your people come through these gates.
3. The Lord says, "Do what is fair and right. Save those who have been robbed. Set them free from the people who have treated them badly. Do not do anything wrong to outsiders or widows in this place. Do not harm children whose fathers have died. Do not kill those who are not guilty of doing anything wrong.
4. " ' "Be careful to obey those commands. Then kings who sit on David's throne will come through the gates of this palace. They will come riding in chariots and on horses. Their officials and their people will come along with them.
5. " ' "But suppose you do not obey those commands," announces the Lord. "Then I promise you that this palace will be destroyed. I make that promise by taking an oath in my own name." ' "