1. Soon after Jehoiakim son of Josiah became king of Judah,
2. the Lord said to me, “Stand in the court of the Temple and proclaim all I have commanded you to say to the people who come from the towns of Judah to worship there. Do not leave out anything.
3. Perhaps the people will listen and give up their evil ways. If they do, then I will change my mind about the destruction I plan to bring on them for all their wicked deeds.”
4. The Lord told me to say to the people, “I, the Lord, have said that you must obey me by following the teaching that I gave you,
5. and by paying attention to the words of my servants, the prophets, whom I have kept on sending to you. You have never obeyed what they said.