3. because the people of Judah made me angry by worshipping gods that had never helped them or their ancestors.
4. Time after time I sent my servants the prophets to tell the people of Judah how much I hated their disgusting sins. The prophets warned them to stop sinning,
5. but they refused to listen and would not stop worshipping other gods.
6. Finally, my anger struck like a raging flood, and today Jerusalem and the towns of Judah are nothing but empty ruins.
7. Why do you now insist on heading for another disaster? A disaster that will destroy not only you, but also your children and babies.
8. You have made me angry by worshipping idols and burning incense to other gods after you came here to Egypt. You will die such a disgusting death, that other nations will use the name of Judah as a curse word.
9. When you were living in Jerusalem and Judah, you followed the example of your ancestors in doing evil things, just like your kings and queens.
24-25. Then I told the men and their wives, that the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, had said:Here in Egypt you still keep your promises to burn incense and offer sacrifices of wine to the so called Queen of Heaven.
26. Keep these promises! But let me tell you what will happen. As surely as I am the Lord God, I swear that I will never again accept any promises you make in my name.
27. Instead of watching over you, I will watch for chances to harm you. Some of you will die in war, and others will starve to death.
28. Only a few will escape and return to Judah. Then everyone who went to live in Egypt will know that when I say something will happen, it will—no matter what you say.
29. And here is how you will know that I will keep my threats to punish you in Egypt.
30. I will hand over King Hophra of Egypt to those who want to kill him, just as I handed Zedekiah over to Nebuchadnezzar, who wanted to kill him.