2 Nephi 13:1 - 13:5

2 Nephi 13:1 For behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem, and from Judah, the stay and the staff, the whole staff of bread, and the whole stay of water—

Because of Jerusalem’s wickedness, the Lord will take away all the truth they have had over the years and the people will be left to themselves. The truth will just go away from the memory of man because they pay no more attention to it so it slip into oblivion.

2 Nephi 13:2 The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient;

The good men who could lead them to victory over their enemies will be removed from them. Also righteous judges, prophets, wise men of judgment, and the words of the ancients will cease to work with them.

2 Nephi 13:3 The captain of fifty, and the honorable man, and the counselor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.

In addition, there will be the loss of military leadership, honest men, wise governmental advisors, speakers who speak the truth in spite of what he says is unpopular.

2 Nephi 13:4 And I will give children unto them to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.

There rulers will be like children in knowledge of righteousness. They will be like babies telling adults what to do.

2 Nephi 13:5 And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor; the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honorable.

Everyone will be blaming each other for their troubles. The child will rage against his elder and think he is better in attitude and wisdom. The dishonorable will think they know better than those are trying to do the right thing.