Israel’s Rebellion and Repentance

Then the Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and the Philistines. They abandoned Yahweh and did not worship Him.

Nathan’s Parable and David’s Repentance

So the Lord sent Nathan to David. When he arrived, he said to him: There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor.

and when they come to their senses in the land where they were deported and repent and petition You in their captors’ land: “We have sinned and done wrong; we have been wicked,”

After all this Jeroboam did not repent of his evil way but again set up priests for the high places from every class of people. He ordained whoever so desired it, and they became priests of the high places.

and when they come to their senses in the land where they were deported and repent and petition You in their captors’ land, saying: “We have sinned and done wrong; we have been wicked,”

Manasseh’s Repentance

The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they didn’t listen.

He opens their ears to correction and insists they repent from iniquity.

Therefore I take back my words and repent in dust and ashes.

If anyone does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has strung His bow and made it ready.

When He killed some of them, the rest began to seek Him; they repented and searched for God.

Zion will be redeemed by justice, her repentant ones by righteousness.

True Repentance

I thought: How I long to make you My sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of all the nations. I thought: You will call Me, my Father, and never turn away from Me.

Jeremiah Told to Repent

Therefore, this is what the Lord says: If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence. And if you speak noble words, rather than worthless ones, you will be My spokesman. It is they who must return to you; you must not return to them.

After I returned, I repented; After I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.”

Repentance and Restoration

Set up road markers for yourself; establish signposts! Keep the highway in mind, the way you have traveled. Return, Virgin Israel! Return to these cities of yours.

Today you repented and did what pleased Me, each of you proclaiming freedom for his neighbor. You made a covenant before Me at the temple called by My name.

“Therefore, say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord God says: Repent and turn away from your idols; turn your faces away from all your detestable things.

“Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each one of you according to his ways.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so they will not be a stumbling block that causes your punishment.

For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “So repent and live!

Tell them: As I live”—the declaration of the Lord God—“I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live. Repent, repent of your evil ways! Why will you die, house of Israel?

“So when I tell the wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but he repents of his sin and does what is just and right—

A Call to Repentance

Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, and He will heal us; He has wounded us, and He will bind up our wounds.

Israel will not return to the land of Egypt and Assyria will be his king, because they refused to repent.

A Plea to Repent

Israel, return to Yahweh your God, for you have stumbled in your sin.

Take words of repentance with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him: “Forgive all our sin and accept what is good, so that we may repay You with praise from our lips.