1 Early in the rule of Judah’s King Jehoiakim, Josiah’s son, this word came from the Lord:
2 The Lord proclaims: Stand in the temple courtyard and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who have come to the temple to worship. Tell them everything I command you; leave nothing out.
3 Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. If they do, I will relent and not carry out the harm I have in mind for them because of the wrong they have done.
4 So tell them, The Lord proclaims: If you don’t listen to me or follow the Instruction I have set before you—
5 if you don’t listen to the words of the prophets that I have sent to you time and again, though you haven’t listened,