1-2. In the fourth year that Jehoiakim was king of Judah, which was the first year that Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylonia, the Lord told me to speak to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. So I told them:
3. For twenty-three years now, ever since the thirteenth year that Josiah was king, I have been telling you what the Lord has told me. But you have not listened.
4. The Lord has sent prophets to you time after time, but you refused to listen.
5. They told you that the Lord had said:Change your ways! If you stop doing evil, I will let you stay for ever in this land that I gave your ancestors.
6. I don't want to harm you. So don't make me angry by worshipping idols and other gods.
7. But you refused to listen to my prophets. So I, the Lord, say that you have made me angry by worshipping idols, and you are the ones who were hurt by what you did.
8. You refused to listen to me,
9. and now I will let you be attacked by nations from the north, and especially by my servant, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia. You and other nearby nations will be destroyed and left in ruins for ever. Everyone who sees what has happened will be shocked, but they will still make fun of you.
10. I will put an end to your parties and wedding celebrations; no one will grind grain or be here to light the lamps at night.