8. She also saw that I gave wayward Israel her divorce papers and sent her away because of her adulterous worship of other gods. Even after her unfaithful sister Judah had seen this, she still was not afraid, and she too went and gave herself like a prostitute to other gods.
9. Because she took her prostitution so lightly, she defiled the land through her adulterous worship of gods made of wood and stone.
10. In spite of all this, Israel’s sister, unfaithful Judah, has not turned back to me with any sincerity; she has only pretended to do so,” says the Lord.
11. Then the Lord said to me, “Under the circumstances, wayward Israel could even be considered less guilty than unfaithful Judah.
12. “Go and shout this message to my people in the countries in the north. Tell them, ‘Come back to me, wayward Israel,’ says the Lord.‘I will not continue to look on you with displeasure.For I am merciful,’ says the Lord.‘I will not be angry with you forever.
13. However, you must confess that you have done wrong,and that you have rebelled against the Lord your God.You must confess that you have given yourself to foreign gods under every green tree,and have not obeyed my commands,’ says the Lord.
14. “Come back to me, my wayward sons,” says the Lord, “for I am your true master. If you do, I will take one of you from each town and two of you from each family group, and I will bring you back to Zion.
15. I will give you leaders who will be faithful to me. They will lead you with knowledge and insight.