Jeremiah 22:15–17

Do you think you are a king

because you compete in cedar?

Did not your father eat and drink

and do justice and righteousness?

Then it was well with him.

He judged the cause of the poor and needy;

then it was well.

Is not this to know me?

declares the Lord.

But you have eyes and heart

only for your dishonest gain,

for shedding innocent blood,

and for practicing oppression and violence.”

“Does it make you a king

to have more and more cedar?

Did not your father have food and drink?

He did what was right and just,

so all went well with him.

He defended the cause of the poor and needy,

and so all went well.

Is that not what it means to know me?”

declares the Lord.

“But your eyes and your heart

are set only on dishonest gain,

on shedding innocent blood

and on oppression and extortion.”

Are you a king because you excel in cedar?

Didn’t your father eat and drink

and administer justice and righteousness?

Then it went well with him.

He took up the case of the poor and needy;

then it went well.

Is this not what it means to know me?

This is the Lord’s declaration.

But you have eyes and a heart for nothing

except your own dishonest profit,

shedding innocent blood

and committing extortion and oppression.

But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king!

Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink.

But he was just and right in all his dealings.

That is why God blessed him.

He gave justice and help to the poor and needy,

and everything went well for him.

Isn’t that what it means to know me?”

says the Lord.

“But you! You have eyes only for greed and dishonesty!

You murder the innocent,

oppress the poor, and reign ruthlessly.”

Do you reign as king because you are competing in cedar?

Did not your father eat and drink,

and he did justice and righteousness,

then it was well with him?

He judged the legal cause of the needy and the poor,

and then it was well.

Is that not what it means to know me?” declares Yahweh.

“But there is nothing in your eyes and your heart

except your unlawful gain,

and on shedding the blood of the innocent,

and on committing oppression and extortion.”

Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar?

Did not thy father eat and drink,

And do judgment and justice,

And then it was well with him?

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him:

Was not this to know me? saith the Lord.

But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness,

And for to shed innocent blood,

And for oppression, and for violence, to do it.