1. The lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said,
2. “Remind the people of Judah and Jerusalem about the terms of my covenant with them.
3. Say to them, ‘This is what the lord, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is anyone who does not obey the terms of my covenant!
4. For I said to your ancestors when I brought them out of the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt, “If you obey me and do whatever I command you, then you will be my people, and I will be your God.”
5. I said this so I could keep my promise to your ancestors to give you a land flowing with milk and honey—the land you live in today.’”Then I replied, “Amen, lord! May it be so.”
6. Then the lord said, “Broadcast this message in the streets of Jerusalem. Go from town to town throughout the land and say, ‘Remember the ancient covenant, and do everything it requires.
7. For I solemnly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, “Obey me!” I have repeated this warning over and over to this day,
8. but your ancestors did not listen or even pay attention. Instead, they stubbornly followed their own evil desires. And because they refused to obey, I brought upon them all the curses described in this covenant.’”
9. Again the lord spoke to me and said, “I have discovered a conspiracy against me among the people of Judah and Jerusalem.
10. They have returned to the sins of their ancestors. They have refused to listen to me and are worshiping other gods. Israel and Judah have both broken the covenant I made with their ancestors.
11. Therefore, this is what the lord says: I am going to bring calamity upon them, and they will not escape. Though they beg for mercy, I will not listen to their cries.