12. Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: Return, backsliding Israel, says the Lord,and I will not cause My anger to fall on you.For I am merciful, says the Lord,and I will not keep anger forever.
13. Only acknowledge your iniquity,that you have transgressed against the Lord your Godand have scattered your ways to the strangersunder every green tree,and you have not obeyed My voice,says the Lord.
14. Return, O backsliding sons, says the Lord. For I am married to you. And I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
15. And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
16. It shall come to pass when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days, says the Lord, they will say no more, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord.” And it will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, nor will they call for it, nor will it be made any more.
17. At that time they will call Jerusalem, the Throne of the Lord, and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord; nor will they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil hearts.