for thussaysthe LORDconcerningthe kingwho sitson the throneof David,and concerningallthe peoplewho dwellin thiscity,your brotherswhodid not gowith you into exile--
Zedekiahwas twenty-oneyearsoldwhen he becameking,and he reignedelevenyearsin Jerusalem.
Onebaskethad verygoodfigs,like first-ripefigs,and the otherbaskethad verybadfigswhichcould not be eatendueto rottenness.
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.
[The letter was sent] by the handof Elasahthe sonof Shaphan,and Gemariahthe sonof Hilkiah,whomZedekiahkingof Judahsentto Babylonto Nebuchadnezzarkingof Babylon,saying,
"Thus I have pouredout My indignationon them; I have consumedthem with the fireof My wrath;their wayI have broughtupon their heads,"declaresthe LordGOD.
