24 The king of Egypt sent a message to Josiah: "What do you want with me, King of Judea?
25 I haven’t been sent out by the Lord God against you; rather, my war is at the Euphrates. Now the Lord is with me and urges me on. So stand aside and don’t oppose the Lord."
26 Josiah, however, didn’t return to his chariot but resolved to fight. He didn’t pay attention to the words of the prophet Jeremiah, which came from the Lord.
27 He went to war with Pharaoh in the plain of Megiddo, and Pharaoh’s commanders came against King Josiah.
28 The king said to his attendants, "Take me away from the battle, for I’m severely wounded." His attendants immediately took him away from the line of battle.
29 Josiah got into a second chariot. After he was brought back to Jerusalem, he died and was buried in his family tomb.
30 The whole land of Judea mourned for Josiah. The prophet Jeremiah also grieved for Josiah. The leading citizens, with the women, grieve over him until this day. This has become a tradition for the whole nation of Israel to observe.