1. Jeremiah received the Lord’s word:
2. Listen to the terms of this covenant and proclaim them to the people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem.
3. Say to them: This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Cursed are those who don’t heed the terms of this covenant
4. that I commanded your ancestors when I bought them out of the land of Egypt, that iron crucible, saying, Obey me and observe all that I instruct you. Then you will be my people and I, even I, will be your God.
5. I will fulfill my solemn pledge that I made to your ancestors to give them a land full of milk and honey, as is the case today.And I replied, "As you say, Lord!"
6. The Lord said to me: Announce all these words in the towns of Judah and on the streets of Jerusalem: Obey the terms of this covenant and perform them.
7. I repeatedly and tirelessly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of the land of Egypt to this very day, saying, Obey me.
8. But they didn’t listen or pay attention; they followed their own willful ambitions. So I brought upon them all the punishments I prescribed for violating this covenant—for refusing to obey.
9. The Lord said to me: A conspiracy is taking place among the people of Judah and residents of Jerusalem.
10. They have returned to the sins of their ancestors who refused to obey my words. They too are following other gods and serving them. The people of Israel and the people of Judah have broken my covenant that I made with their ancestors.
11. Therefore, the Lord proclaims: I will bring upon them a disaster from which they won’t be able to escape. They will cry out to me, but I won’t listen to them.
12. Then the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem will call upon the gods they worship, but they won’t save them when disaster strikes.
13. You have as many gods as you have towns, Judah, and you have as many shameful altars for worshipping Baal as you have streets in Jerusalem.
14. As for you, don’t pray for these people, don’t cry out or plead for them, for I won’t listen when they cry out to me on account of their distress.
15. What are my loved ones doing in my templewhile working out their many evil schemes?Can sacred offerings cancel your sinso that you revel in your evil deeds?