Jeremiah 35 1-19

One day the Lord spoke to

the prophet Jeremiah, Go to the house of the Rechabites, bring them into one of the rooms of

the house of the Lord, and offer them wine to drink. Jeremiah did as he was told.

He brought the men of the Rechabite family into the temple, set bowls and cups of wine before

them, and said, Drink some wine. But they replied, We do not drink wine, because our ancestor

Jonadab son of Rechab gave us this command. Neither you nor your descendants must ever

drink wine.

You must never build houses, sow seed, or plant vineyards. Live in tents all your days. And we

have obeyed everything he commanded to this very day.

This was a family vow, passed down through generations. And they remained faithful to it, even

now, living in the city among the people of Judah, while Babylon loomed near. Then the Lord

spoke to Jeremiah, Go and tell the people of Judah and Jerusalem, Look at the Rechabites.

They obey the command of their forefather, but my people do not listen to me. Therefore I

declare, Jonadab son of Rechab will never fail to have a descendant to stand before me forever.