37. I will count you like sheep and will bring you into line with my agreement.
38. I will get rid of those who refuse to obey me and who turn against me. I will bring them out of the land where they are now living, but they will never enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
39. “ ‘This is what the Lord God says: People of Israel, go serve your idols for now. But later you will listen to me; you will not continue to dishonor my holy name with your gifts and gods.
40. On my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, all Israel will serve me in the land, says the Lord God. There I will accept you. There I will expect your offerings, the first harvest of your offerings, and all your holy gifts.
41. I will accept you like the pleasing smell of sacrifices when I bring you out from the foreign nations and gather you from the lands where you are scattered. Then through you I will show how holy I am so the nations will see.
42. When I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I promised your ancestors, you will know that I am the Lord.
43. There you will remember everything you did that made you unclean, and then you will hate yourselves for all the evil things you have done.
44. I will deal with you for the sake of my name, not because of your evil ways or unclean actions. Then you will know I am the Lord, people of Israel, says the Lord God.’ ”
45. Now the Lord spoke his word to me, saying:
46. “Human, look toward the south. Prophesy against the south and against the forest of the southern area.
47. Say to that forest: ‘Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord God says: I am ready to start a fire in you that will destroy all your green trees and all your dry trees. The flames that burn will not be put out. Every face from south to north will feel their heat.
48. Then all the people will see that I, the Lord, have started the fire. It will not be put out.’ ”
49. Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! The people are saying about me, ‘He is only telling stories.’ ”