9. built houses to live in, or owned vineyards, pastures, or grainfields.
10. We live in tents, and we have obeyed everything our ancestor Jonadab ordered us to do.
11. But when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded this land, we said, ‘Let’s go to Jerusalem ⌊to escape⌋ the Babylonian and Aramean armies.’ That’s why we are living in Jerusalem.”
12. Then the Lord spoke his word to Jeremiah. He said,
13. “This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Tell the people of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem, ‘Won’t you ever learn your lesson and obey my words? declares the Lord.
14. Jonadab, Rechab’s son, ordered his descendants not to drink wine. This order has been carried out. His descendants have not drunk any wine to this day, because they have obeyed their ancestor’s order. I have spoken to you again and again, but you have refused to listen to me.
15. I have sent all my servants the prophets to you again and again. They said, “Turn from your evil ways, do what is right, and don’t follow other gods in order to serve them. Then you will live in the land that I gave you and your ancestors.” However, you refused to listen to me or obey me.
16. The descendants of Jonadab, Rechab’s son, have carried out the orders of their ancestor, but you refuse to listen to me.