Observing the Sabbath

¹⁹ This is what the Lord said to me, “Go and stand at the People’s Gate, through which the kings of Judah enter and leave, as well as at all the gates of Jerusalem. ²⁰ Announce to them, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, kings of Judah, all Judah, and all the residents of Jerusalem who enter through these gates. ²¹ This is what the Lord says: Watch yourselves; do not pick up a load and bring it in through Jerusalem’s gates on the Sabbath day.^{(A) 22} Do not carry a load out of your houses on the Sabbath day or do any work,^(B) but keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your ancestors.^{(C) 23} They wouldn’t listen or pay attention but became obstinate,^(D) not listening or accepting discipline.

²⁴ “‘However, if you listen to me—this is the Lord’s declaration—and do not bring loads through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but keep the Sabbath day holy and do no work on it, ²⁵ kings and princes will enter through the gates of this city. They will sit on the throne of David;^(E) they will ride in chariots and on horses^(F) with their officials, the men of Judah, and the residents of Jerusalem. This city will be inhabited forever. ²⁶ Then people will come from the cities of Judah and from the area around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and from the Judean foothills, from the hill country and from the Negev^(G) bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, and thanksgiving sacrifices to the house of the Lord. ²⁷ But if you do not listen to me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying a load while entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, I will set fire to its gates,^(H) and it will consume the citadels^(I) of Jerusalem^(J) and not be extinguished.’”^(K)