¹⁷ We will certainly do everything we said we would:^(A) We will burn incense^(B) to the Queen of Heaven^(C) and will pour out drink offerings to her just as we and our ancestors, our kings and our officials^(D) did in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem.^(E) At that time we had plenty of food^(F) and were well off and suffered no harm.^(G)

¹⁸ But ever since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings^(A) to her, we have had nothing and have been perishing by sword and famine.^(B)”