A warning in the court

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

2Thus says Yahweh: Stand in the court of the house of Yahweh, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship at the house of Yahweh all the words that I have commanded you to speak to them; do not hold back a word.

3Perhaps they will listen, and each man will turn from his evil way, and I will relent concerning the disaster that I am planning to bring on them because of the evil of their deeds.

4And you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: If you do not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you,’

5to listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I am sending to you, rising early and sending, though you have not listened,

6then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.