Add parallel Print Page Options

16 Josiah helped poor and needy people,
    so everything went well for him.
Jehoiakim, what does it mean “to know God”?
    It means living right and being fair.
That is what it means to know me.
    This message is from the Lord.

17 “Jehoiakim, your eyes look only for what benefits yourself.
    You are always thinking about getting more for yourself.
You are willing to kill innocent people.
    You are willing to steal things from other people.”

18 So this is what the Lord says to King Jehoiakim son of Josiah:
“The people of Judah will not cry for Jehoiakim.
    They will not say to each other, ‘Brother, I am so sad!
    Sister, I am so sad!’
They will not cry for Jehoiakim.
    They will not say about him, ‘Master, I am so sad!
    King, I am so sad!’

Read full chapter

16 He defended the cause of the poor and needy,(A)
    and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know(B) me?”
    declares the Lord.
17 “But your eyes and your heart
    are set only on dishonest gain,(C)
on shedding innocent blood(D)
    and on oppression and extortion.”(E)

18 Therefore this is what the Lord says about Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:

“They will not mourn(F) for him:
    ‘Alas, my brother! Alas, my sister!’
They will not mourn for him:
    ‘Alas, my master! Alas, his splendor!’

Read full chapter