12. You will know that I am the Lord and that while you were keeping the laws of the neighbouring nations, you were breaking my laws and disobeying my commands.”
13. While I was prophesying, Pelatiah dropped dead. I threw myself face downwards on the ground and shouted, “No, Sovereign Lord! Are you going to kill everyone left in Israel?”
14. The Lord spoke to me.
15. “Mortal man,” he said, “the people who live in Jerusalem are talking about you and your fellow-Israelites who are in exile. They say, ‘The exiles are too far away to worship the Lord. He has given us possession of the land.’
16. “Now tell your fellow-exiles what I am saying. I am the one who sent them to live in far-off nations and scattered them in other countries. Yet, for the time being I will be present with them in the lands where they have gone.
17. “So tell them what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying. I will gather them out of the countries where I scattered them, and will give the land of Israel back to them.
18. When they return, they are to get rid of all the filthy, disgusting idols they find.
19. I will give them a new heart and a new mind. I will take away their stubborn heart of stone and will give them an obedient heart.