6. The Lord said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: Have you seen that which backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there has played the harlot.
7. I said after she had done all these things, “Turn to Me.” But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.
8. I saw that for all the adulteries of backsliding Israel, I had put her away and given her a bill of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also.
9. Through the lightness of her harlotry she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and with trees.
10. Yet for all this, her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but feignedly, says the Lord.
11. The Lord said to me: Backsliding Israel has proved herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.
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.