18. So I poured out My wrath on them because of the blood they had shed on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols.
19. I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered among the countries. I judged them according to their conduct and actions.
20. When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said about them, ‘These are the people of Yahweh, yet they had to leave His land in exile.’
21. Then I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they went.
22. “Therefore, say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord God says: It is not for your sake that I will act, house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations where you went.
23. I will honor the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations — the name you have profaned among them. The nations will know that I am Yahweh” — the declaration of the Lord God — “when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight.
24. “For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25. I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.
26. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
27. I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances.