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.