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14 Return, rebellious children—oracle of the Lord[a]
    for I am your master;
I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan,
    and bring you to Zion.(A)
15 I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart,
    who will shepherd you wisely and prudently.(B)
16 When 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.

17 At that time they will call Jerusalem “the Lord’s throne.” All nations will gather together there to honor the name of the Lord at Jerusalem, and they will no longer stubbornly follow their wicked heart.(C) 18 In those days the house of Judah will walk alongside the house of Israel; together they will come from the land of the north to the land which I gave your ancestors as a heritage.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 3:14–18 A remnant of Israel (v. 14) will reunite with Judah (v. 18). The former Israelite community, represented by the ark of the covenant, will be replaced by a universal alliance, symbolized by Jerusalem, the Lord’s throne, to which all nations will be gathered (v. 17).

14 “Return,(A) faithless people,” declares the Lord, “for I am your husband.(B) I will choose you—one from a town and two from a clan—and bring you to Zion. 15 Then I will give you shepherds(C) after my own heart,(D) who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. 16 In those days, when your numbers have increased greatly in the land,” declares the Lord, “people will no longer say, ‘The ark(E) of the covenant of the Lord.’ It will never enter their minds or be remembered;(F) it will not be missed, nor will another one be made. 17 At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne(G) of the Lord, and all nations(H) will gather in Jerusalem to honor(I) the name of the Lord. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.(J) 18 In those days the people of Judah will join the people of Israel,(K) and together(L) they will come from a northern(M) land to the land(N) I gave your ancestors as an inheritance.

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