Study Desk

"But we will certainly ^(C1)carry out every word that has proceeded from our mouths, ^(F1)by burning ^(F2)sacrifices to the ^(C2)queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, just as ^(C3)we ourselves, our forefathers, our kings, and our leaders did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; for then we had ^(C4)plenty of ^(F3)food and were well off and saw no ^(F4)misfortune.

"But since we stopped burning ^(F1)sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have ^(C1)lacked everything, and have met our end by the sword and by famine."

"And," said the women, "when we were ^(C1)burning ^(F1)sacrifices to the queen of heaven and ^(F2)pouring out drink offerings to her, was it ^(C2)without our husbands that we made for her sacrificial cakes ^(F3)in her image, and poured out drink offerings to her?"

"This is what the LORD of armies, the God of Israel ^(F1)says: 'As for you and your wives, you have spoken with your mouths and fulfilled it with your hands, saying, "We will ^(C1)certainly perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn ^(F2)sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her." ^(C2)By all means fulfill your vows, and be sure to perform your vows!'