11-12 Jehoahaz became king of Judah after his father King Josiah died. But Jehoahaz was taken as a prisoner to a foreign country. Now I, the Lord, promise that he will die there without ever seeing his own land again.*
13 King Jehoiakim, you are doomed!You built a palacewith large rooms upstairs.
14 You put in big windowsand used cedar panelingand red paint.But you were unfairand forced the builders to workwithout pay.*
15 More cedar in your palacedoesn't make you a better kingthan your father Josiah.He always did right—he gave justice to the poorand was honest.
16 That's what it meansto truly know me.So he lived a comfortable lifeand always had enoughto eat and drink.
17 But all you think aboutis how to cheator abuse or murdersome innocent victim.
18 Jehoiakim, no one will mournat your funeral.They won't turn to each otherand ask,“Why did our great kinghave to die?”