16. But here is what I want you to tell the Israelites in Babylonia:It's true that I, the Lord God, have forced you out of your own country and made you live among foreign nations. But for now, I will be with you wherever you are, so that you can worship me.
17. And some day, I will gather you from the nations where you are scattered and let you live in Israel again.
18. When that happens, I want you to clear the land of all disgusting idols.
19. Then I will take away your stubbornness and make you eager to be completely faithful to me. You will want to obey me
20. and all my laws and teachings. You will be my people, and I will be your God.
21. But those who worship idols will be punished and get what they deserve. I, the Lord God, have spoken.
22. After the Lord had finished speaking, the winged creatures spread their wings and flew into the air, and the wheels were beside them. The brightness of the Lord's glory above them
23. left Jerusalem and stopped at a hill east of the city.
24. Then in my vision, the Lord's Spirit lifted me up and carried me back to the other exiles in Babylonia. The vision faded away,
25. and I told them everything the Lord had shown me.