Jeremiah 35:12–17

Judah Rebuked

¹²Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying,

¹³“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Go and say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, “^aWill you not receive instruction by listening to My words?” declares the Lord.

¹⁴“The ^awords of Jonadab the son of Rechab, which he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are observed. So they do not drink wine to this day, for they have obeyed their father’s command. But I have spoken to you ^1bagain and again; yet you have ^cnot listened to Me.

¹⁵“Also I have sent to you all My ^aservants the prophets, sending them ¹again and again, saying: ‘^bTurn now every man from his evil way and amend your deeds, and ^cdo not go after other gods to worship them. Then you will ^ddwell in the land which I have given to you and to your forefathers; but you have not ^einclined your ear or listened to Me.

¹⁶‘Indeed, the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have ^aobserved the command of their father which he commanded them, but this people has not listened to Me.’ ” ’

¹⁷“Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Behold, ^aI am bringing on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them; because I ^bspoke to them but they did not listen, and I have called them but they did not answer.’ ”