say to a tree: You are my father, and to a stone: You gave birth to me. For they have turned their back to Me and not their face, but in their time of disaster they beg: Rise up and save us!

Yet they didn't listen or pay attention but walked according to their own advice and according to their own stubborn, evil heart. They went backward and not forward.

I will scatter them before the enemy like the east wind. I will show them [My] back and not [My] face on the day of their calamity.

So He brought me to the inner court of the LORD's house, and there were about 25 men at the entrance of the LORD's temple, between the portico and the altar, with their backs to the LORD's temple and their faces [turned] to the east. They were bowing to the east in worship of the sun.

[The more] they called them, [the more] they departed from Me. They kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols.

But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they closed their ears so they could not hear.

Now, because you have done all these things"-- [this is] the LORD's declaration-- "and because I have spoken to you time and time again but you wouldn't listen, and I have called to you, but you wouldn't answer,

"From the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, until this very day-- 23 years-- the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you time and time again, but you have not obeyed.

The LORD sent all His servants the prophets to you time and time again, but you have not obeyed or even paid attention.

and by listening to the words of My servants the prophets I have been sending you time and time again, though you did not listen,

Time and time again I have sent you all My servants the prophets, proclaiming: Turn, each one from his evil way of life, and correct your actions. Stop following other gods to serve them. Live in the land that I gave you and your ancestors. But you would not pay attention or obey Me.

So I sent you all My servants the prophets time and time again, saying, Don't do this detestable thing that I hate.

But the LORD God of their ancestors sent word against them by the hand of his messengers, sending them time and time again, for He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place.

But they kept ridiculing God's messengers, despising His words, and scoffing at His prophets, until the LORD's wrath was so stirred up against His people that there was no remedy.

At dawn He went to the temple complex again, and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began to teach them.