Although Josiah, who was king when Jeremiah started his ministry, was faithful, all succeeding kings were unfaithful, and most of those responsible to instruct the people ​ — the prophets and the priests — ​ were not on the side of truth.
هنگامی که اِرْمیا کار خود را به عنوان نبی آغاز کرد ،‏ یُوشیّا بر تخت پادشاهی نشسته بود .‏ یُوشیّا پادشاهی خداترس بود اما همهٔ پادشاهان بعد از او مردانی بی‌ایمان بودند .‏