6
The Lord said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: "Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot.
7
And I said, after she had done all these things, 'Return to Me.' But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.
8
Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also.
9
So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees.
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And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense," says the Lord.
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Then the Lord said to me, "Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.
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Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: 'Return, backsliding Israel,' says the Lord; 'I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,' says the Lord; ' I will not remain angry forever.
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Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed against the Lord your God, And have scattered your charms To alien deities under every green tree, And you have not obeyed My voice,' says the Lord.
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"Return, O backsliding children," says the Lord; "for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
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And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
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Then it shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days," says the Lord, "that they will say no more, 'The ark of the covenant of the Lord.' It shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it, nor shall it be made anymore.