1. In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord:
2. “Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the Lord all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word.
3. It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them because of their evil deeds.
4. You shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you,
5. and to listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently, though you have not listened,