Then Jeremiahsaidto allthe people,to the menand women--even to allthe peoplewho were givinghim [such] an answer--saying,
For he sacrificedto the godsof Damascuswhich had defeatedhim, and said,"Becausethe godsof the kingsof Aramhelpedthem, I will sacrificeto them that they may helpme." But they becamethe downfallof him and allIsrael.
"And," [said the women], "whenwe were burningsacrificesto the queenof heavenand were pouringout drinkofferingsto her, was it withoutour husbandsthat we madefor her [sacrificial] cakesin her imageand pouredout drinkofferingsto her?"
"As for the smokingsacrificesthat you burnedin the citiesof Judahand in the streetsof Jerusalem,you and your forefathers,your kingsand your princes,and the peopleof the land,did not the LORDrememberthem and did not [all this] comeinto His mind?
Then He saidto me, "Sonof man,I am sendingyou to the sonsof Israel,to a rebelliouspeoplewhohave rebelledagainst Me; they and their fathershave transgressedagainst Me to thisveryday.
"But you shall speakMy wordsto them whetherthey listenornot, for they are rebellious.
Thereforewhatbenefitwere you thenderivingfrom the things of whichyou are nowashamed?For the outcomeof those thingsis death.
