1. In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord:
2. Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the house of the Lord and speak to the inhabitants of all the cities of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord; whatever I command you, tell them, and hold nothing back.
3. Perhaps they will listen and turn, all of them from their evil way, so that I may repent of the evil I plan to inflict upon them for their evil deeds.
4. Say to them: Thus says the Lord: If you do not obey me, by walking according to the law I set before you
5. and listening to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I kept sending you, even though you do not listen to them,