The Babylonians Destroy Jerusalem

36:15 The Lord God of their ancestors22 continually warned them through his messengers,23 for he felt compassion for his people and his dwelling place. 36:16 But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his warnings,24 and ridiculed his prophets.25 Finally the Lord got very angry at his people and there was no one who could prevent his judgment.26 36:17 He brought against them the king of the Babylonians, who slaughtered27 their young men in their temple.28 He did not spare29 young men or women, or even the old and aging. God30 handed everyone over to him. 36:18 He carried away to Babylon all the items in God’s temple, whether large or small, as well as what was in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and in the treasuries of the king and his officials. 36:19 They burned down the Lord’s temple and tore down the wall of Jerusalem.31 They burned all its fortified buildings and destroyed all its valuable items. 36:20 He deported to Babylon all who escaped the sword. They served him and his sons until the Persian kingdom rose to power. 36:21 This took place to fulfill the Lord’s message delivered through Jeremiah.32 The land experienced33 its sabbatical years;34 it remained desolate for seventy years,35 as prophesied.36