The Obedience of the Rechabites

1This is the word that came to Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed) from the LORD {YHWH} in the days of Jehoiakim (YHWH raises up) son of Josiah (whom YHWH heals) king of Judah (praised): 2“Go to the house of the Rechabites (uttermost part), speak to them, and bring them to one of the chambers of the house of the LORD {YHWH} to offer them a drink of wine.”

3So I took Jaazaniah (YHWH hears) son of Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed), the son of Habazziniah (light of YHWH), and his brothers and all his sons—the entire house of the Rechabites (uttermost part)— 4and I brought them into the house of the LORD {YHWH}, to a chamber occupied by the sons of Hanan (he is merciful) son of Igdaliah (YHWH is great), a man of God {Elohim}. This room was near the chamber of the officials, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah (work of YHWH) son of Shallum (retribution) the doorkeeper.

5Then I set pitchers full of wine and some cups before the men of the house of the Rechabites (uttermost part), and I said to them, “Drink some wine.”

6“We do not drink wine,” they replied, “for our forefather Jonadab (Jehonadab)a son of Rechab (rider) commanded us, ‘Neither you⁺ nor your⁺ descendants are ever to drink wine. 7Nor are you⁺ ever to build a house or sow seed or plant a vineyard. Those things are not for you⁺. Instead, you⁺ must live in tents all your⁺ lives, so that you⁺ may live a long time in the land where you⁺ wander.’

8And we have obeyed the voice of our forefather Jonadab (YHWH is willing) son of Rechab (rider) in all he commanded us. So we have not drunk wine all our lives—neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters. 9Nor have we built houses in which to live, and we have not owned any vineyards or fields or crops. 10But we have lived in tents and have obeyed and done exactly as our forefather Jonadab (YHWH is willing) commanded us.

11So when Nebuchadnezzar (may Nebo protect the crown) king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) marched into the land, we said: ‘Come, let us go into Jerusalem (city of peace) to escape the armies of the Chaldeans (the Babylonians)b and the Arameans (exalted).’ So we have remained in Jerusalem.”

Judah Rebuked

12Then the word of the LORD {YHWH} came to Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed): 13“This is what the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts, the God {Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), says: Go and tell the men of Judah (praised) and the residents of Jerusalem (city of peace): ‘Will you⁺ not accept discipline and obey My words?’ declares the LORD.

14The words of Jonadab (YHWH is willing) son of Rechab (rider) have been carried out. He commanded his sons not to drink wine, and they have not drunk it to this very day because they have obeyed the command of their forefather. But I have spoken to you⁺ again and again \But I have spoken to you, rising up early and speaking,/,c and you⁺ have not obeyed Me!

15Again and again I have sent you⁺ \Rising up early and sending you, I have sent you/d all My servants the prophets, proclaiming: ‘Turn now, each of you, from your wicked ways, and correct your⁺ actions. Do not go after other gods to serve them. Live in the land that I have given to you⁺ and your⁺ fathers.’ But you have not inclined your⁺ ear or listened to Me. 16Yes, the sons of Jonadab (YHWH is willing) son of Rechab (rider) carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not listened to Me.

17Therefore this is what the LORD God {YHWH Elohe} of Hosts, the God of Israel (he wrestles with God), says: ‘Behold, I will bring to Judah (praised) and to all the residents of Jerusalem (city of peace) all the disaster I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them but they have not obeyed, and I have called to them but they have not answered.’”

18Then Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed) said to the house of the Rechabites (uttermost part): “This is what the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts, the God {Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), says: ‘Because you⁺ have obeyed the command of your⁺ forefather Jonadab (YHWH is willing) and have kept all his commandments and have done all that he charged you⁺ to do, 19this is what the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts, the God {Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), says: Jonadab (YHWH is willing) son of Rechab (rider) will never fail to have a man to stand before Me.’”