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Chapter 4

If you return, Israel—oracle of the Lord
    return to me.
If you put your detestable things out of my sight,
    and do not stray,(A)
And swear, “As the Lord lives,”[a]
    in truth, in judgment, and in justice,
Then the nations shall bless themselves in him
    and in him glory.(B)

For to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, thus says the Lord:

Till your untilled ground,
    and do not sow among thorns.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 4:2 As the Lord lives: this oath, made sincerely, implies Israel’s return and loyal adherence to God. Thus the ancient promises are fulfilled; cf. Gn 12:3; 18:18; 22:18; 26:4; Ps 72:17.

“If you, Israel, will return,(A)
    then return to me,”
declares the Lord.
“If you put your detestable idols(B) out of my sight
    and no longer go astray,
and if in a truthful, just and righteous way
    you swear,(C) ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’(D)
then the nations will invoke blessings(E) by him
    and in him they will boast.(F)

This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and to Jerusalem:

“Break up your unplowed ground(G)
    and do not sow among thorns.(H)

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