The Renewal of Israel

16 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 17 “Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, vthey defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to Me their way was like wthe uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity. 18 Therefore I poured out My fury on them xfor the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols with which they had defiled it. 19 So I yscattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them zaccording to their ways and their deeds. 20 When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they aprofaned My holy name—when they said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord, and yet they have gone out of His land.’ 21 But I had concern bfor My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went.

22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, cbut for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am dhallowed in you before their eyes. 24 For eI will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.