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.
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.
18. In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given to your fathers for an inheritance.
19. But I said: How can I put you among My sonsand give you a pleasant land,the most beautiful heritage of the nations?And I said: You shall call Me, My Father,and shall not turn away from Me.
20. Surely as a wife treacherously departs from her husband,so you have dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel,says the Lord.