49
In addition, the leaders of the people and even the chief priests did more godless and lawless things than all the corrupt heathen; they defiled the Temple of the Lord, which he had made holy.
50
The God of their ancestors had continued to send prophets to call them back from their sins, because he wanted to spare them and the Temple.
51
But when the Lord spoke through his prophets, the people made fun of them and laughed.
52
At last the Lord became so angry with his people and their depraved ways that he ordered the kings of Babylonia to attack them.
53
The Babylonians killed the young men of Judah all around the Temple and did not spare anyone, young or old, man or woman. The Lord handed them all over to their enemies.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.