1 At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim[a] son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord:
2
"This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard of the Lord's temple and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all Judah's cities that are coming to worship there. Do not hold back a word.[b]
3
Perhaps they will listen and return-each from his evil way of life-so that I might relent[c] concerning the disaster that I plan to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.
4
You are to say to them: This is what the Lord says: If you do not listen to Me by living according to My law that I set before you
5
and by listening to the words of My servants the prophets I have been sending you time and time again,[d] though you did not listen,
6
I will make this temple like Shiloh.[e] I will make this city an object of cursing for all the nations of the earth."
Jeremiah Seized
7 The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the temple of the Lord.