Jeremiah 26:1-9 ▼

1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the LORD, saying,

2 “Thus says the LORD, ‘Stand in the court of the LORD’S house [Jeremiah], and speak to all [the people of] the cities of Judah who have come to worship in the LORD’S house all the words that I have commanded you to speak to them. Do not omit a word!

3 It may be that they will listen and everyone will turn from his wickedness, so that I may relent and reverse [My decision concerning] the disaster which I am planning to do to them because of their malevolent deeds.’

4 And you will say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD, “If you will not listen to Me and obey My law which I have set before you,

5 and listen and follow [carefully] the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have been sending to you repeatedly—though you have not listened—

6 then I will make this house [the temple] like Shiloh, and I will make this city [subject to] the curse of all nations of the earth [because it will be so vile in their sight].”’”

7 The priests and the [false] prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.

8 Now when Jeremiah finished proclaiming everything that the LORD had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests and the [false] prophets and all the people seized him, saying, “You must die!

9 Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD saying, ‘This house will be like Shiloh [after the ark of the LORD had been taken by our enemies] and this city [Jerusalem] will be desolate, without inhabitant’?” And all the people were gathered around Jeremiah in the [outer area of the] house of the LORD.