16. The Lord said:
17. Ezekiel, son of man, when the people of Israel were living in their own country, they made the land unclean by the way they behaved, just as a woman's monthly period makes her unclean.
18. They committed murders and worshipped idols, which made the land even worse. So in my anger, I punished my people
19. and scattered them throughout the nations, just as they deserved.
20. Wherever they went, my name was disgraced, because foreigners insulted my people by saying I had forced them out of their own land.
21. I care what those foreigners think of me,
22. so tell the Israelites that I am saying:You have disgraced my holy name among the nations where you now live. So you don't deserve what I'm going to do for you. I will lead you home to bring honour to my name