²⁴ They shall come against you from the north^[a] with chariots and wagons and a host of peoples; they shall set themselves against you on every side with buckler, shield, and helmet, and I will commit the judgment to them, and they shall judge you according to their ordinances.^(A)

⁴⁵ But righteous judges shall declare them guilty of adultery and of bloodshed, because they are adulteresses, and blood is on their hands.^(A)

³⁸ I will judge you as women who commit adultery and shed blood are judged and bring blood upon you in wrath and jealousy.^(A)

⁵ But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, and when they had taken him, they brought him up to King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon, at Riblah, in the land of Hamath, and he passed sentence on him.^{(A) 6} The king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah at Riblah before his eyes; also the king of Babylon slaughtered all the nobles of Judah.^(B)

¹⁴ Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress; let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great, but let me not fall into human hands.”^(A)