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.
20. Then they will keep my laws and faithfully obey all my commands. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
21. But I will punish the people who love to worship filthy, disgusting idols. I will punish them for what they have done.” The Sovereign Lord has spoken.
22. The living creatures began to fly, and the wheels went with them. The dazzling light of the presence of the God of Israel was over them.
23. Then the dazzling light left the city and moved to the mountain east of it.