9. And she didn’t care that she was acting like a prostitute. So she made her country unclean and was guilty of adultery, because she worshiped idols made of stone and wood.
10. Israel’s wicked sister didn’t even come back to me with her whole heart, but only pretended,” says the Lord.
11. The Lord said to me, “Unfaithful Israel had a better excuse than wicked Judah.
12. Go and speak this message toward the north:‘Come back, unfaithful people of Israel,’ says the Lord.‘I will stop being angry at you,because I am full of mercy,’ says the Lord.‘I will not be angry with you forever.
13. All you have to do is admit your sin—that you turned against the Lord your Godand worshiped gods under every green treeand didn’t obey me,’ ” says the Lord.
14. “Come back to me, you unfaithful children,” says the Lord, “because I am your master. I will take one person from every city and two from every family group, and I will bring you to Jerusalem.
15. Then I will give you new rulers who will be faithful to me, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.