1. In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord:
2. “the Lord says: ‘Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Don’t omit a word.
3. It may be they will listen, and every man turn from his evil way; that I may relent from the evil which I intend to do to them because of the evil of their doings.’
4. You shall tell them, “the Lord says: ‘If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you,