⁴ “Do not be like your fathers, ^(A)to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: ^(B)“Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” ’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the Lord.

¹¹ Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ^(A)‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked ^(B)turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For ^(C)why should you die, O house of Israel?’

¹⁵ I have also sent to you all My ^(A)servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, ^(B)‘Turn now everyone from his evil way, amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them; then you will ^(C)dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me.

³ Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return ^(A)to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.

⁶ Then the Lord said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying: ‘Hear the words of this covenant ^(A)and do them. ⁷ For I earnestly exhorted your fathers in the day I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, until this day, ^(B)rising early and exhorting, saying, “Obey My voice.” ^8 (C)Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but ^(D)everyone ^[a]followed the dictates of his evil heart; therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but which they have not done.’ ”

The Fall of Jerusalem^(A)

^15 (B)And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. ¹⁶ But ^(C)they mocked the messengers of God, ^(D)despised His words, and ^(E)scoffed at His prophets, until the ^(F)wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.