6 So the couriersl went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the hand of the king and his officials, and according to the king’s command, saying, “Israelites, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel so that he may return to those of you who remain, who have escaped the grasp of the kings of Assyria.m 7 Don’t be like your ancestors and your brothers who were unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their ancestorsn so that he made them an object of horroro as you yourselves see. 8 Don’t become obstinateE,p now like your ancestors did. Give your allegianceF to the Lord, and come to his sanctuary that he has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God so that he may turn his burning anger away from you,q 9 for when you return to the Lord, your brothers and your sons will receive mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land.r For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful;s he will not turn his face away from you if you return to him.”