12. I will destroy her vines and fig trees,which she said were her pay from her lovers.I will turn them into a forest,and wild animals will eat them.
13. I will punish her for all the timesshe burned incense to the Baals.She put on her rings and jewelryand went chasing after her lovers,but she forgot me!”says the Lord.
14. “So I am going to attract her;I will lead her into the desertand speak tenderly to her.
15. There I will give her back her vineyards,and I will make the Valley of Trouble a door of hope.There she will respond as when she was young,as when she came out of Egypt.”
16. The Lord says, “In the future she will call me ‘my husband;’no longer will she call me ‘my baal.’
17. I will never let her say the names of Baal again;people won’t use their names anymore.
18. At that time I will make an agreement for themwith the wild animals, the birds, and the crawling things.I will smash from the landthe bow and the sword and the weapons of war,so my people will live in safety.
19. And I will make you my promised bride forever.I will be good and fair;I will show you my love and mercy.
20. I will be true to you as my promised bride,and you will know the Lord.
21. “At that time I will speak to you,” says the Lord.“I will speak to the skies,and they will give rain to the earth.