20. When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned my holy name; in that men said of them, ‘These are the Lord’s people, and have left his land.’
21. But I had respect for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.
22. “Therefore tell the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I don’t do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.
23. I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord GOD, “when I am proven holy in you before their eyes.
24. “‘“For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness, and from all your idols.
26. I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
27. I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. You will keep my ordinances and do them.
28. You will dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. You will be my people, and I will be your God.
29. I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain, and will multiply it, and lay no famine on you.
30. I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field, that you may receive no more the reproach of famine among the nations.
31. “‘“Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.
32. I don’t do this for your sake,” says the Lord GOD. “Let it be known to you: be ashamed and confounded for your ways, house of Israel.”
33. “‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “In the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited and the waste places will be built.
34. The land that was desolate will be tilled instead of being a desolation in the sight of all who passed by.
35. They will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The waste, desolate, and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.’
36. Then the nations that are left around you will know that I, the Lord, have built the ruined places, and planted that which was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.”
37. “‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “For this, moreover, I will be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them: I will increase them with men like a flock.
38. As the flock for sacrifice, as the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts, so the waste cities will be filled with flocks of men. Then they will know that I am the Lord.’”