²⁰ Jeremiah said to all the people, men and women alike, in fact everyone who had spoken this way: ²¹ “Do you really think the Lord was unaware of what you were up to in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem? Don’t you think the Lord knew that you and your ancestors were making offerings to other gods^[a]—along with your kings and officials, and the people of the land? ²² It got so bad that the Lord could no longer bear your evil and shameless acts; it was at that point that your land was reduced to an utter wasteland and a curse, as it is today. ²³ The current dire situation occurred because you made offerings to other gods^[b] and sinned against the Lord—because you wouldn’t obey the Lord or follow the Lord’s instruction, laws, or warnings.”