39. Now, family of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: “Whoever wants to worship their filthy idols, let them go and worship them. But later, don’t think you will get any advice from me. You will not ruin my name anymore—not when you continue to give your gifts to your filthy idols!”
40. The Lord GOD says, “People must come to my holy mountain—the high mountain in Israel—to serve me! The whole family of Israel will be on their land; they will be there in their country. There you can come to ask me for advice, and you must come there to bring me your offerings. You must bring the first part of your crops to me there. You must bring all your holy gifts to me in that place.
41. Then I will be pleased with the sweet smell of your sacrifices. That will happen when I bring you back. I scattered you among many nations, but I will gather you together and make you my special people again. And all the nations will see it.
42. Then you will know that I am the Lord. You will know this when I bring you back to the land of Israel, the land I promised to give to your ancestors.
43. In that country you will remember all the evil things you did that made you filthy, and you will be ashamed.
44. Family of Israel, you did many evil things, and you should be destroyed because of them. But to protect my good name, I will not give you the punishment you really deserve. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” This is what the Lord GOD said.
45. Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said,
46. “Son of man, look toward the Negev, the southern part of Judah. Speak against the Negev Forest.
47. Say to the Negev Forest, ‘Listen to the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord GOD said: Look, I am ready to start a fire in your forest. The fire will destroy every green tree and every dry tree. The flame that burns will not be put out. All the land from south to north will be burned by the fire.
48. Then all people will see that I, the Lord, have started the fire. The fire will not be put out!’”
49. Then I said, “Oh, Lord GOD! If I say this, the people will say that I am only telling them stories.”