42. And you will know that I am Yahweh when I bring you to the land of Israel, to the land that I swore to give to your ancestors.
43. And you will remember there your ways, and all of your deeds by which you were made unclean, and you will feel a loathing for yourself for all of your evils that you have done.
44. And you will know that I am Yahweh when I deal with you for the sake of my name and not according to your evil ways or according to your corrupted deeds, house of Israel,” declares the Lord Yahweh.
45. And the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
46. “Son of man, set your face toward the way of the south, and preach to the south, and prophesy against the forest of the territory of the Negev.
47. And you must say to the forest of the Negev, ‘Hear the word of Yahweh, thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Look! I am kindling against you a fire, and it will devour in you every fresh tree and every dry tree; the blaze of the flame will not be quenched, and all the surfaces from the south to the north will be scorched by it.
48. And all creatures will see that I, Yahweh, I kindled it—it will not be quenched!” ’ ”
49. Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh, they are saying about me, ‘Is he not posing a parable?’ ”