2 The prophet Jeremiah spoke concerning all the people of Judah and all the residents of Jerusalem as follows:
3 “From the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, until this very day — 23 years — the word of the Lord has come to me, and I have spoken to you time and time again, but you have not obeyed.
4 The Lord sent all His servants the prophets to you time and time again, but you have not obeyed or even paid attention.
5 He announced, ‘Turn, each of you, from your evil way of life and from your evil deeds. Live in the land the Lord gave to you and your ancestors long ago and forever.
6 Do not follow other gods to serve them and to worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger by the work of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.
7 “ ‘But you would not obey Me’ — this is the Lord’s declaration — ‘in order that you might provoke Me to anger by the work of your hands and bring disaster on yourselves.’
8 “Therefore, this is what the Lord of Hosts says: ‘Because you have not obeyed My words,