11 This is what the Lord says about Shallum son of Judah’s King Josiah, who succeeded his father Josiah as king but who is now gone from this place: He will never return!
12 He will die where he’s been exiled and never see this land again.
13 How terrible for Jehoiakim, who builds his house with corruptionand his upper chambers with injustice,working his countrymen for nothing,refusing to give them their wages.
14 He says, "I’ll build myself a grand palace,with huge upper chambers,ornate windows,cedar paneling,and rich red decor."
15 Is this what makes you a king,having more cedar than anyone else?Didn’t your father eat and drinkand still do what was just and right?Then it went well for him!
16 He defended the rights of the poor and needy;then it went well.Isn’t that what it means to know me?declares the Lord.
17 But you set your eyes and hearton nothing but unjust gain;you spill the blood of the innocent;you practice cruelty;you oppress your subjects.