The Obedience of the Rechabites

1The word that came to Jeremiah from YHWH in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, saying: 2“Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak to them, and bring them to the house of YHWH, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.

3And I took Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah son of Habazziniah, and his brothers, and all his sons, and all the house of the Rechabites, 4and I brought them to the house of YHWH, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, a man of God, that was beside the chamber of the princes, that was above the chamber of Maaseiah son of Shallum, the keeper of the door.

5And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pitchers full of wine, and cups, and I said to them: “Drink wine.

6And they said, “We will not drink wine,” for Jonadab† son of Rechab our father commanded to us, saying, ‘You shall not drink wine, you⁺ or your⁺ sons, even to forever. 7And you⁺ shall not build a house, and you⁺ shall not sow seed, and you⁺ shall not plant a vineyard and not will one be unto you⁺. But in tents you⁺ shall dwell all your⁺ days, that you⁺ may live many days in the land where you⁺ are sojourning there.

8And we have listened to the voice of Jonadab son of Rechab our father in all that he has commanded us, so as not to drink wine all our days—we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters— 9and so as not to build houses for our dwelling, and not is unto us a vineyard or field or seed. 10And we have dwelt in tents, and we have heard and done according to all that Jonadab our father has commanded us.

11And it came to pass with the coming up of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to the land, that we said, ‘Come, and let us go to Jerusalem before the face of the army of the Chaldeans† and before the face of the army of Aram.’ So we dwell in Jerusalem.

Judah Rebuked

12And the word of YHWH came to Jeremiah, saying: 13“Thus says YHWH of Hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Go and say to the men of Judah and to those dwelling in Jerusalem, “Will you⁺ not receive instruction to obey My words,” a declaration of YHWH.

14The words of Jonadab son of Rechab that he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, have been performed. And they have not drunk until this day, and indeed they have heard the command of their father. And I have spoken to you⁺, rising early and speaking, and you⁺ have not listened to Me.

15And I have sent to you⁺ all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, ‘Turn now each man, from his evil way, and amend your⁺ works, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and you shall dwell in the land that I have given to you⁺ and to your⁺ fathers.’ But you would not incline your⁺ ear, and you⁺ did not listen to Me! 16So the sons of Jonadab son of Rechab have done the commandment of their father, which he commanded them, and this people have not listened to Me.

17Therefore, thus says YHWH God of Hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I am bringing to Judah and to all those dwelling in Jerusalem all the evil that I have spoken against them, because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, and I have called to them and they have not answered.’”

18And to the house of the Rechabites Jeremiah said, “Thus says YHWH of Hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Because that you⁺ have listened upon the commandment of Jonadab your⁺ father, and have kept all his precepts, and have done according to all that he commanded you⁺, 19therefore thus says YHWH of Hosts, the God of Israel: For Jonadab son of Rechab will not lack a man to stand before Me all the days.’”