The Fall of Jerusalem^(A)(B)

¹⁵ The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers^(C) again and again,^(D) because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place.

¹⁵ Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets^(A) to you. They said, “Each of you must turn^(B) from your wicked ways and reform^(C) your actions; do not follow other gods^(D) to serve them. Then you will live in the land^(E) I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you have not paid attention or listened^(F) to me.

³ For twenty-three years—from the thirteenth year of Josiah^(A) son of Amon king of Judah until this very day—the word of the Lord has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again,^(B) but you have not listened.^(C)

⁴ And though the Lord has sent all his servants the prophets^(D) to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention.^(E)

¹³ While you were doing all these things, declares the Lord, I spoke^(A) to you again and again,^(B) but you did not listen;^(C) I called^(D) you, but you did not answer.^(E)

⁴¹ As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it^{(A) 42} and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. ⁴³ The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.^{(B) 44} They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls.^(C) They will not leave one stone on another,^(D) because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming^(E) to you.”

⁴ Again and again^(A) I sent my servants the prophets,^(B) who said, ‘Do not do this detestable^(C) thing that I hate!’ ⁵ But they did not listen or pay attention;^(D) they did not turn from their wickedness^(E) or stop burning incense^(F) to other gods.^(G)

⁵ and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened^(A)),

²⁵ From the time your ancestors left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again^(A) I sent you my servants^(B) the prophets.^(C)

¹⁶ Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord.^(A) And he could bear Israel’s misery^(B) no longer.^(C)