3 He was divinely directed for the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of impiety.
4 And he guided his heart toward the Lord. And during the days of sinners, he strengthened piety.
5 Other than David, and Hezekiah, and Josiah, everyone committed sin.
6 For the kings of Judah abandoned the law of the Most High, and they held contempt for the fear of God.
7 For they gave their kingdom to foreigners, and their glory to a strange people.
8 They set fire to the chosen city of sanctity, and they made its streets desolate, in accord with the hand of Jeremiah.
9 For they treated him wickedly, though he was consecrated as a prophet from his mother's womb: to overthrow, and to root out, and to destroy, and also to rebuild and to renew.