1 This is what the lord said to me: “Go over and speak directly to the king of Judah. Say to him,
2 ‘Listen to this message from the lord, you king of Judah, sitting on David’s throne. Let your attendants and your people listen, too.
3 This is what the lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!
4 If you obey me, there will always be a descendant of David sitting on the throne here in Jerusalem. The king will ride through the palace gates in chariots and on horses, with his parade of attendants and subjects.
5 But if you refuse to pay attention to this warning, I swear by my own name, says the lord, that this palace will become a pile of rubble.’”
6 Now this is what the lord says concerning Judah’s royal palace:“I love you as much as fruitful Gileadand the green forests of Lebanon.But I will turn you into a desert,with no one living within your walls.
7 I will call for wreckers,who will bring out their tools to dismantle you.They will tear out all your fine cedar beamsand throw them on the fire.