Pay attention and come to me; listen, so that you will live. I will make a permanent covenant with you on the basis of the faithful kindnesses of David. ,
Pay attention to me, my people, and listen to me, my nation; for instruction will come from me, and my justice for a light to the nations. I will bring it about quickly.
But they were disobedient and rebelled against you. They flung your law behind their backs and killed your prophets who warned them in order to turn them back to you. They committed terrible blasphemies.
Do not be like your ancestors; the earlier prophets proclaimed to them: This is what the Lord of Armies says: Turn from your evil ways and your evil deeds. But they did not listen or pay attention to me #– #this is the Lord’s declaration.
He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar who had made him swear allegiance by God. He became obstinate , and hardened his heart against returning to the Lord, the God of Israel.
You were patient with them for many years, and your Spirit warned them through your prophets, but they would not listen. Therefore, you handed them over to the surrounding peoples.
‘From the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, until this very day #– #twenty-three years #– #the word of the Lord has come to me, and I have spoken to you time and time again, , but you have not obeyed.
‘ “But you have not obeyed me” #– #this is the Lord’s declaration #– #“with the result that you have angered me by the work of your hands and brought disaster on yourselves.”