Jeremiah 22:13-17

131The Lord says, ‘Terrible trouble will happen to this man! He cheats people so that he can build a beautiful palace for himself. He does not do what is right and fair. He does not pay the people who work for him. His own men have to work for nothing.

14He says, “I will build a great palace for myself. It will have large rooms upstairs.” He puts windows in its walls. He covers the walls with cedar wood. He uses red paint to make it beautiful.

15Are you better than other kings because you use more cedar wood to build your palace? Think about how your father lived. He did what was right and fair. He had enough to eat and to drink. So he was happy with a good life.

16He did what was right for people who were poor and helpless. So people were happy. That is how people who know me should live.’ That is what the Lord says.

17‘But you always want to cheat people, so that you can get more riches for yourself. You make plans to kill people who have not done anything wrong. You hurt people in cruel ways.’