12. “Go and shout this message to my people in the countries in the north. Tell them, ‘Come back to me, wayward Israel,’ says the Lord.‘I will not continue to look on you with displeasure.For I am merciful,’ says the Lord.‘I will not be angry with you forever.
13. However, you must confess that you have done wrong,and that you have rebelled against the Lord your God.You must confess that you have given yourself to foreign gods under every green tree,and have not obeyed my commands,’ says the Lord.
14. “Come back to me, my wayward sons,” says the Lord, “for I am your true master. If you do, I will take one of you from each town and two of you from each family group, and I will bring you back to Zion.
15. I will give you leaders who will be faithful to me. They will lead you with knowledge and insight.
16. In those days, your population will greatly increase in the land. At that time,” says the Lord, “people will no longer talk about having the ark that contains the Lord’s covenant with us. They will not call it to mind, remember it, or miss it. No, that will not be done any more!