A tumult of chariots hath astonished the inhabitants of Lachis: it is the beginning of sin to the daughter of Sion, for in thee were found the crimes of Israel.
And the king of the Assyrians sent Tharthan and Rabsaris, and Rabsaces from Lachis to king Ezechias with a strong army to Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem: and they stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the way of the fuller's field.
After this, Sennacherib king of the Assyrians sent his servants to Jerusalem (for he with all his army was besieging Lachis), to Ezechias king of Juda, and to all the people that were in the city, saying:
Therefore Adonisedec, king of Jerusalem, sent to Oham, king of Hebron, and to Pharam, king of Jerimoth, and to Japhia, king of Lachis, and to Dabir, king of Eglon, saying:
But I have against thee a few things: because thou sufferest the woman Jezabel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach, and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication, and to eat of things sacrificed to idols.
But I have against thee a few things: because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat, and to commit fornication:
For the wickedness of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the wickedness of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Juda? are they not Jerusalem?
At the voice of the horsemen and the archers, all the city is fled away: they have entered into thickets and have climbed up the rocks. All the cities are forsaken, and there dwelleth not a man in them.
That because the rebellious Israel had played the harlot, I had put her away and had given her a bill of divorce: yet her treacherous sister Juda was not afraid, but went and played the harlot also herself.
And he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Achab had walked (for the daughter of Achab was his wife): and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.
Nor was it enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nabat: but he also took to wife Jezabel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians. And he went, and served Baal, and adored him.
And they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And there they spoke to him, saying: Save thy life: look not back, neither stay thou in all the country about: but save thyself in the mountain, lest thou be also consumed.
And the king of the Assyrians sent Rabsaces from Lachis to Jerusalem, to king Ezechias with a great army: and he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the way of the fuller's field.
And the army of the king of Babylon fought against Jerusalem and against all the cities of Juda that were left, against Lachis, and against Azecha: for these remained of the cities of Juda, fenced cities.