The Promise of Israel’s Return

¹⁴ The word of the Lord came to me: ¹⁵ “Son of man, the people of Jerusalem have said of your fellow exiles and all the other Israelites, ‘They are far away from the Lord; this land was given to us as our possession.’^(A)

¹⁶ “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary^(B) for them in the countries where they have gone.’

¹⁷ “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’^(C)

¹⁸ “They will return to it and remove all its vile images^(D) and detestable idols.^{(E) 19} I will give them an undivided heart^(F) and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone^(G) and give them a heart of flesh.^{(H) 20} Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.^(I) They will be my people,^(J) and I will be their God.^{(K) 21} But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols,^(L) I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.^(M)”

²² “Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name,^(A) which you have profaned^(B) among the nations where you have gone.^{(C) 23} I will show the holiness of my great name,^(D) which has been profaned^(E) among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,^(F) declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy^(G) through you before their eyes.^(H)

²⁴ “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.^{(I) 25} I will sprinkle^(J) clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse^(K) you from all your impurities^(L) and from all your idols.^{(M) 26} I will give you a new heart^(N) and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone^(O) and give you a heart of flesh.^{(P) 27} And I will put my Spirit^(Q) in you and move you to follow my decrees^(R) and be careful to keep my laws.^{(S) 28} Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people,^(T) and I will be your God.^{(U) 29} I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine^(V) upon you. ³⁰ I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine.^{(W) 31} Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices.^{(X) 32} I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed^(Y) and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!^(Z)