Jeremiah 3:6–14

A Call to Repentance

6 The Lord said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: “Have you seen what mbacksliding Israel has done? She has ngone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. 7 oAnd I said, after she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return. And her treacherous psister Judah saw it. 8 Then I saw that qfor all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had rput her away and given her a certificate of divorce; syet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. 9 So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she tdefiled the land and committed adultery with ustones and trees. 10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me vwith her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the Lord.

11 Then the Lord said to me, w“Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. 12 Go and proclaim these words toward xthe north, and say:

‘Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the Lord;

‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you.

For I am ymerciful,’ says the Lord;

‘I will not remain angry forever.

13 zOnly acknowledge your iniquity,

That you have transgressed against the Lord your God,

And have ascattered your 2charms

To balien deities cunder every green tree,

And you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the Lord.

14 “Return, O backsliding children,” says the Lord; d“for I am married to you. I will take you, eone from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to fZion.