6 aThe 1couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with the letters from the hand of the king and his princes, even according to the command of the king, saying, “O sons of Israel, return to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that He may return to those of you who escaped and are left from bthe 2hand of the kings of Assyria.

7 “aDo not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were unfaithful to the Lord God of their fathers, so that bHe made them a horror, as you see.

8 “Now do not astiffen your neck like your fathers, but 1yield to the Lord and enter His sanctuary which He has consecrated forever, and serve the Lord your God, bthat His burning anger may turn away from you.

9 “For aif you return to the Lord, your brothers and your sons will find compassion before those who led them captive and will return to this land. bFor the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.”

10 So the 1couriers passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but athey laughed them to scorn and mocked them.

11 Nevertheless asome men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

12 The ahand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord.