A Warning about Jehoiakim

“ Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,

and his upper rooms without justice,

who makes his countrymen serve without pay,

and fails to pay their wages,

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who says,‘I will build myself a great palace,

with spacious upper rooms.’

So he cuts windows in it,

panels it with cedar,

and paints it with vermilion.

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Does it make you a king to excel in cedar?

Did not your father have food and drink?

He administered justice and righteousness,

and so it went well with him.

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He took up the cause of the poor and needy,

and so it went well [with him].

Is this not what it means to know Me?”

declares the LORD.

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“ But your eyes and heart [are set on] nothing

except your own dishonest gain,

on shedding innocent blood,

on practicing extortion and oppression.”

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Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:

“ They will not mourn for him:

‘Alas, my brother! Alas, my sister!’

They will not mourn for him:

‘Alas, my master! Alas, his splendor!’

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vvv He will be buried like a donkey,

dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem.

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Go up to Lebanon and cry out;

raise your voice in Bashan;

cry out from Abarim,

for all your lovers have been crushed.

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I warned you when you were secure.

You said,‘I will not listen.’

This has been your way from youth,

that you have not obeyed My voice.

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The wind will drive away all your shepherds,

and your lovers will go into captivity.

Then you will be ashamed and humiliated

because of all your wickedness.

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O inhabitant of Lebanon,[fn]

nestled in the cedars,

how you will groan when pangs of anguish come upon you,

agony like a woman in labor.”

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