1 Jeremiah received the Lord’s word concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Judah’s King Jehoiakim, Josiah’s son. This was the first year of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar.
2 The prophet Jeremiah addressed all the people of Judah and all those living in Jerusalem.
3 From the thirteenth year of Judah’s King Josiah, Amon’s son, to this very day—twenty-three years—the Lord’s word has come to me. I have delivered it to you repeatedly, although you wouldn’t listen.
4 In fact, the Lord has tirelessly sent you all his servants, the prophets, but you wouldn’t listen or pay attention.
5 They said, "Each one of you, turn from your evil ways and deeds and live in the fertile land that the Lord gave you and your ancestors for all time.