Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.
Be ye not as your fathers. The Jews boasted of their fathers; but he shows that their fathers were refractory, and that ancient example and long usage will not justify disobedience (2 Chronicles 36:15-16).
Unto whom the former prophets have cried - those who lived before the captivity. It aggravated their guilt that, not only had they the law, but had been often called to repent by God's prophets.