¹¹ However, when ^(A)Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against the land, we said, ‘Come, and let’s ^(B)go to Jerusalem away from the army of the Chaldeans and the army of the Arameans.’ So we have lived in Jerusalem.”

Judah Rebuked

¹² Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, ¹³ “This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: ‘Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, “^(C)Will you not accept instruction by listening to My words?” declares the Lord. ¹⁴ “The ^(D)words of Jonadab the son of Rechab have been followed, which he commanded his sons: not to drink wine. And they do not drink wine to this day, for they have obeyed their father’s command. But I have spoken to you ^(E)again and again, yet you have ^(F)not listened to Me. ¹⁵ Also I have sent to you all My ^(G)servants the prophets, sending them again and again, saying: ‘^(H)Turn now every person from his evil way and amend your deeds, and ^(I)do not follow other gods to worship them. Then you will ^(J)live in the land which I have given to you and to your forefathers; but you have not ^(K)inclined your ear or listened to Me. ¹⁶ Indeed, the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have ^(L)followed the command of their father which he commanded them, but this people has not listened to Me.’”’ ¹⁷ Therefore this is what the Lord says, the God of armies, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, ^(M)I am bringing on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them; because I ^(N)spoke to them but they did not listen, and I have called them but they did not answer.’”

¹⁸ Then Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, “This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: ‘Because you have ^(O)obeyed the command of Jonadab your father, kept all his commands, and done according to all that he commanded you, ¹⁹ therefore this is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: “Jonadab the son of Rechab ^(P)will not lack a man to ^(Q)stand before Me ^[a]always.”’”