Now these are the leaders of the provinces who lived in Jerusalem (though in the cities of Judah everyone lived on his own property within their cities): Israel, the priests, the Levites, the temple servants, and the descendants of Solomon’s servants.
They will come with weeping, and with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble. For I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn.
Thus says the Lord: Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths where the good way is and walk in it, and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.”
Whether it was two days, or one month, or a long time that the cloud dwelt over the tabernacle, the Israelites dwelt in their tents and did not journey. But when it was lifted up they journeyed.
For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then turn back from the holy commandment that was delivered to them.