¹³ The houses^(A) in Jerusalem and those of the kings of Judah will be defiled^(B) like this place, Topheth—all the houses where they burned incense on the roofs^(C) to all the starry hosts^(D) and poured out drink offerings^(E) to other gods.’”

¹⁷ We will certainly do everything we said we would:^(A) We will burn incense^(B) to the Queen of Heaven^(C) and will pour out drink offerings to her just as we and our ancestors, our kings and our officials^(D) did in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem.^(E) At that time we had plenty of food^(F) and were well off and suffered no harm.^{(G) 18} But ever since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings^(H) to her, we have had nothing and have been perishing by sword and famine.^(I)”

¹⁹ The women added, “When we burned incense^(J) to the Queen of Heaven^(K) and poured out drink offerings to her, did not our husbands^(L) know that we were making cakes^(M) impressed with her image^(N) and pouring out drink offerings to her?”

²⁵ This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: You and your wives^(A) have done what you said you would do when you promised, ‘We will certainly carry out the vows we made to burn incense and pour out drink offerings to the Queen of Heaven.’^(B)

“Go ahead then, do what you promised! Keep your vows!^(C)

¹³ He set fire^(A) to the temple^(B) of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses^(C) of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down.