I tell thee that the very children would mock me, and the women would laugh at me in my shame.

Jeremiah

Better to be followed by the laughter of fools than by the tears of widows. Think not of thyself; but of the people, which God hath appointed thee to lead. Do God’s will, though fools laugh. Thou hast raised thy head against Ashur. Humble thyself now before him.

Zedekiah

Humble myself?

Jeremiah

Humble thyself, anointed of the Lord, for the sake of Jerusalem. Open the gates, open thy heart, thus only canst thou save the city.

Zedekiah

With the sword will I save Jerusalem, at the hazard of my life, but not of my honor. Thou knowest not what thou askest.

Jeremiah