1. A message came to me from the Lord. It was shortly after Jehoiakim became king of Judah. He was the son of Josiah.
2. The Lord said, "Stand in the courtyard of my house. Speak to the people of the towns in Judah. Speak to all those who come to worship in my house. Tell them everything I command you. Do not leave out a single word.
3. Perhaps they will listen. Maybe they will turn from their evil ways. Then I will not do what I said I would. I will not bring trouble on them. I had planned to punish them because of the evil things they had done.
4. "Tell them, 'The Lord says, "Listen to me. Obey my law that I gave you.
5. And listen to the words my servants the prophets are speaking. I have sent them to you again and again. But you have not listened to them.
6. So I will make this house like Shiloh. All of the nations on earth will call down curses on this city." ' "
7. I spoke those words in the Lord's house. The priests, the prophets and all of the people heard me.
8. I finished telling all of the people everything the Lord had commanded me to say. But as soon as I did, the priests, the prophets and all of the people grabbed hold of me. They said, "You must die!
9. Why do you prophesy those things in the Lord's name? Why do you say that this house will become like Shiloh? Why do you say that this city will be empty and deserted?" And all of the people crowded around me in the Lord's house.
10. The officials of Judah heard what had happened. So they went up from the royal palace to the Lord's house. There they took their places at the entrance of the New Gate.
11. Then the priests and prophets spoke to the officials and all of the people. They said, "This man should be sentenced to death. He has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!"
12. Then I spoke to all of the officials and people. I said, "The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city. He told me to say everything you have heard.
13. So change the way you live and act. Obey the Lord your God. Then he won't do what he said he would. He won't bring on you the trouble he said he would bring.
14. "As for me, I'm in your hands. Do to me what you think is good and right.