2 Nephi 19:16 - 19:21
2 Nephi 19:16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
The king is listening to false advice and it is the cause of their destruction as a people.
2 Nephi 19:17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for every one of them is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Therefore Jehovah cannot help the people with their troubles with outside invaders. Even the poor and the helpless will surcome to the wrath of the Assyrians. For all the people of Ephraim are evil and are not be saved from their fury. However, there is still hope if they will come around to Jehovah.
2 Nephi 19:18 For wickedness burneth as the fire; it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forests, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
There is no safety in wickedness. Being evil like their enemies will not stave off their enemies. Enemies will kill everything regardless of how good or evil it is. There is no safety in being like their enemies.
2 Nephi 19:19 Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire; no man shall spare his brother.
Destruction is as sure as dry tinder laying on the ground in a forest. When the fire comes it all will go up in flame and smoke.
2 Nephi 19:20 And he shall snatch on the right hand and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand and they shall not be satisfied; they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm—
However there will be no real satisfaction in the victory. They will still be looking for more to plunder and destroy. They will even start to war with each other.
2 Nephi 19:21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Both Ephraim and Manasseh with the Syrians will come against Judah but the Lord will still help them if they should ask for it even thought they have shown themselves very unfaithful.
