1If a man divorces his wifea

and she leaves him

and then becomes the wife of another,

Can she return to the first?*

Would not this land be wholly defiled?

But you have played the prostitute with many lovers,

and yet you would return to me!—oracle of the Lord.

2Raise your eyes to the heights, and look,

where have men not lain with you?

Along the roadways you waited for them

like an Arabian* in the wilderness.

You defiled the land

by your wicked prostitution.b

3Therefore the showers were withheld,

the spring rain did not fall.

But because you have a prostitute’s brow,

you refused to be ashamed.c

4Even now do you not call me, “My father,

you are the bridegroom of my youth?

5Will he keep his wrath forever,

will he hold his grudge to the end?”

This is what you say; yet you do

all the evil you can.

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

14Return, rebellious children—oracle of the Lord—*

for I am your master;

I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan,

and bring you to Zion.j

15I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart,

who will shepherd you wisely and prudently.k

16When you increase in number and are fruitful in the land—

oracle of the Lord—

They will in those days no longer say,

“The ark of the covenant of the Lord!”

They will no longer think of it, or remember it,

or miss it, or make another one.