30. Israel and Judah have done nothing but wrong since their earliest days. They have infuriated me with all their evil deeds,” says the lord.
31. “From the time this city was built until now, it has done nothing but anger me, so I am determined to get rid of it.
32. “The sins of Israel and Judah—the sins of the people of Jerusalem, the kings, the officials, the priests, and the prophets—have stirred up my anger.
33. My people have turned their backs on me and have refused to return. Even though I diligently taught them, they would not receive instruction or obey.
34. They have set up their abominable idols right in my own Temple, defiling it.
35. They have built pagan shrines to Baal in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind to command such a thing. What an incredible evil, causing Judah to sin so greatly!
36. “Now I want to say something more about this city. You have been saying, ‘It will fall to the king of Babylon through war, famine, and disease.’ But this is what the lord, the God of Israel, says:
37. I will certainly bring my people back again from all the countries where I will scatter them in my fury. I will bring them back to this very city and let them live in peace and safety.