¹⁶ “We will not listen^(A) to the message you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord!^{(B) 17} We will certainly do everything we said we would:^(C) We will burn incense^(D) to the Queen of Heaven^(E) and will pour out drink offerings to her just as we and our ancestors, our kings and our officials^(F) did in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem.^(G) At that time we had plenty of food^(H) and were well off and suffered no harm.^{(I) 18} But ever since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings^(J) to her, we have had nothing and have been perishing by sword and famine.^(K)”

²⁰ Then Jeremiah said to all the people, both men and women, who were answering him, ²¹ “Did not the Lord remember^(A) and call to mind the incense^(B) burned in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem^(C) by you and your ancestors,^(D) your kings and your officials and the people of the land?^{(E) 22} When the Lord could no longer endure^(F) your wicked actions and the detestable things you did, your land became a curse^(G) and a desolate waste^(H) without inhabitants, as it is today.^{(I) 23} Because you have burned incense and have sinned against the Lord and have not obeyed him or followed^(J) his law or his decrees^(K) or his stipulations, this disaster^(L) has come upon you, as you now see.”^(M)