⁵ and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened^(A)),

²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse^(A) him who speaks.^(B) If they did not escape when they refused him who warned^(C) them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?^(D)

¹¹ “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly^(A) they turned their backs^(B) and covered their ears.^{(C) 12} They made their hearts as hard as flint^(D) and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets.^(E) So the Lord Almighty was very angry.^(F)

¹³ “‘When I called, they did not listen;^(G) so when they called, I would not listen,’^(H) says the Lord Almighty.^(I)

⁴ Do not be like your ancestors,^(A) to whom the earlier prophets^(B) proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways^(C) and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me,^(D) declares the Lord.^{(E) 5} Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever? ⁶ But did not my words^(F) and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors?^(G)

“Then they repented and said, ‘The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve,^(H) just as he determined to do.’”^(I)

¹⁴ ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab ordered his descendants not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather’s command.^(A) But I have spoken to you again and again,^(B) yet you have not obeyed^(C) me. ¹⁵ Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets^(D) to you. They said, “Each of you must turn^(E) from your wicked ways and reform^(F) your actions; do not follow other gods^(G) to serve them. Then you will live in the land^(H) I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you have not paid attention or listened^(I) to me. ¹⁶ The descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command their forefather^(J) gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.’

¹⁷ “Therefore this is what the Lord says: You have not obeyed me; you have not proclaimed freedom to your own people. So I now proclaim ‘freedom’ for you,^(A) declares the Lord—‘freedom’ to fall by the sword, plague^(B) and famine.^(C) I will make you abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth.^(D)

³³ They turned their backs^(A) to me and not their faces; though I taught^(B) them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline.^(C)