1 If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her ? Wouldn’t such a land become totally defiled ? But you! You have played the prostitute with many partners — can you return to Me? This is the LORD’s declaration.
2 Look to the barren heights and see. Where have you not been immoral? You sat waiting for them beside the highways like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness.
3 This is why the showers haven’t come — why there has been no spring rain. You have the brazen look of a prostitute and refuse to be ashamed.
4 Have you not lately called to Me, “My Father. You were my friend in my youth.
5 Will He bear a grudge forever ? Will He be endlessly infuriated? ” This is what you have said, but you have done the evil things you are capable of.
6 In the days of King Josiah the LORD asked me, “Have you seen what unfaithful Israel has done ? She has ascended every high hill and gone under every green tree to prostitute herself there.
7 I thought: After she has done all these things, she will return to Me. But she didn’t return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it.
8 I observed that it was because unfaithful Israel had committed adultery that I had sent her away and had given her a certificate of divorce. Nevertheless, her treacherous sister Judah was not afraid but also went and prostituted herself.
9 Indifferent to her prostitution, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees.
10 Yet in spite of all this, her treacherous sister Judah didn’t return to Me with all her heart — only in pretense.” This is the LORD’s declaration.
11 The LORD announced to me, “Unfaithful Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.
12 Go, proclaim these words to the north, and say: Return, unfaithful Israel. This is the LORD’s declaration. I will not look on you with anger , for I am unfailing in My love. This is the LORD’s declaration. I will not be angry forever .
13 Only acknowledge your •guilt — you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to strangers under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice. This is the LORD’s declaration.
