9. Because she took her prostitution lightly, the land was polluted, and she committed adultery with stones and with wood.
10. Yet for all this her treacherous sister, Judah, has not returned to me with her whole heart, but only in pretense,” says the Lord.
11. The Lord said to me, “Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.
12. Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, ‘Return, you backsliding Israel,’ says the Lord; ‘I will not look in anger on you; for I am merciful,’ says the Lord. ‘I will not keep anger forever.
13. Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord your God, and have scattered your ways to the strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed my voice,’ says the Lord.”
14. “Return, backsliding children,” says the Lord; “for I am a husband to you. I will take one of you from a city, and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
15. I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
16. It will come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land, in those days,” says the Lord, “they will no longer say, ‘the ark of the Lord’s covenant!’ It will not come to mind. They won’t remember it. They won’t miss it, nor will another be made.