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
23. and to show foreign nations that I am holy. Then they will know that I am the Lord God. I have spoken.
24. I will gather you from the foreign nations and bring you home.
25. I will sprinkle you with clean water, and you will be clean and acceptable to me. I will wash away everything that makes you unclean, and I will remove your disgusting idols.
26. I will take away your stubborn heart and give you a new heart and a desire to be faithful. You will have only pure thoughts,
27. because I will put my Spirit in you and make you eager to obey my laws and teachings.
28. You will once again live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.
29. I will protect you from anything that makes you unclean. Your fields will overflow with grain, and no one will starve.