The End and a Glimmer

In Zedekiah's ninth year, Nebuchadnezzar came with all his army against Jerusalem and built siege works around it. The siege lasted until the eleventh year. The famine was severe, and there was no bread. The city was broken into. Zedekiah fled by night. The Chaldeans overtook him in the plains of Jericho. They brought him to the king of Babylon at Riblah.

In the fifth month, Nebuzaradan burned the Lord's house, the king's house, and every great house. The army broke down the walls all around. They broke the bronze pillars and carried the bronze, gold, and silver vessels to Babylon. He carried away the rest of the people, but left some of the poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields. Leading priests and officials were taken to Riblah and put to death. So Judah was carried away captive out of his land.

Nebuchadnezzar made Gedaliah governor over those who remained, but he was killed, and the people fled to Egypt in fear. In the thirty-seventh year of Jehoiachin's captivity, Evil Merodach king of Babylon released him from prison. He spoke kindly to him and set his throne above the other kings in Babylon. Jehoiachin changed his prison garments and ate bread before the king continually all the days of his life.