Moreover, the wordof the LORDcameto me, saying,
He alsorebelledagainst KingNebuchadnezzarwhohad made him swear[allegiance] by God.But he stiffenedhis neckand hardenedhis heartagainstturningto the LORDGodof Israel.
My eyehas wastedawaybecauseof affliction;I have calledupon You everyday,O LORD;I have spreadout my handsto You.
But like the badfigswhichcannotbe eatendueto rottenness--indeed,thussaysthe LORD--soI will abandonZedekiahkingof Judahand his officials,and the remnantof Jerusalemwho remainin thislandand the ones who dwellin the landof Egypt.
I spokewordslike alltheseto Zedekiahkingof Judah,saying,"Bringyour necksunder the yokeof the kingof Babylonand servehim and his people,and live!
"Behold,though it is planted,will it thrive?Will it not completelywitheras soon as the eastwindstrikesit-- witheron the bedswhereit grew?"'"
"Saynowto the rebellioushouse,Do you not knowwhatthesethings[mean]?' Say,'Behold,the kingof Babyloncameto Jerusalem,tookits kingand princesand broughtthem to him in Babylon.
