² For he says,

Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation!^(A)

Zion’s Children to Be Brought Home

⁷ again he sets a certain day—“today”—saying through David much later, in the words already quoted,

¹³ But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

⁴² saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. ⁴³ Indeed, the days will come upon you when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you and hem you in on every side.^{(A) 44} They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”^[a](B)

Warning against Unbelief

⁷ Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,

⁸ I passed by you again and looked on you; you were at the age for love. I spread the edge of my cloak over you and covered your nakedness: I pledged myself to you and entered into a covenant with you, says the Lord God, and you became mine.^(A)