Jer 3:6-13

Judah and Israel. 6The LORD said to me in the days of King Josiah: Do you see what rebellious Israel has done? She has gone up every high mountain, and under every green tree she has played the prostitute.^d 7And I thought: After she has done all this, she will return to me. But she did not return. Then, even though that traitor her sister Judah, saw 8that, in response to all the adulteries rebel Israel had committed, I sent her away and gave her a bill of divorce, nevertheless Judah, the traitor, her sister, was not frightened; she too went off and played the prostitute.^e 9With her casual prostitution, she polluted the land, committing adultery with stone and wood.^f 10In spite of all this, Judah, the traitor, her sister, did not return to me wholeheartedly, but insincerely—oracle of the LORD.

Restoration of Israel. 11Then the LORD said to me: Rebel Israel is more just than traitor Judah.^g 12Go, proclaim these words toward the north, and say:

Return, rebel Israel—oracle of the LORD—

I will not remain angry with you;

For I am merciful, oracle of the LORD,

I will not keep my anger forever.^h

13Only admit your guilt:

how you have rebelled against the LORD, your God,

How you ran here and there to strangers

under every green tree

and would not listen to my voice—oracle of the LORD.ⁱ