Jeremiah 44:16-17, 25-26, 29

“We will not listen to the message from the LORD that you spoke to us. We promised to make sacrifices to the Queen Goddess, and we will certainly do everything we promised. We will burn incense and pour out drink offerings to worship her, just as we, our ancestors, kings, and officers did in the past. All of us did these things in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and were successful, and nothing bad happened to us.

The LORD All-Powerful, the God of Israel, says: You and your wives did what you said you would do. You said, ‘We will certainly keep the promises we made. We promised to make sacrifices to the Queen Goddess and to pour out drink offerings to her.’ So, go ahead. Do the things you promised, and keep your promises. But hear the word of the LORD. Listen, all you Jews living in Egypt. The LORD says, ‘I have sworn by my great name: The people of Judah now living in Egypt will never again use my name to make promises. They will never again say in Egypt, “As surely as the Lord GOD lives . . . ”

I will give you a sign that I will punish you here in Egypt,’ says the LORD. ‘When you see it happen, you will know that my promises to hurt you will really happen.’