So tell the people, “This is what the Lord of Armies says: Return to me #– #this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies #– #and I will return to you, says the Lord of Armies.
‘Since the days of your ancestors, you have turned from my statutes; you have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,’ says the Lord of Armies. Yet you ask, ‘How can we return? ’
Tell them, “As I live #– #this is the declaration of the Lord God #– #I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live. Repent, repent of your evil ways! Why will you die, house of Israel? ”
Time and time again I have sent you all my servants the prophets, proclaiming, ‘Turn, each one from his evil way, and correct your actions. Stop following other gods to serve them. Live in the land that I gave you and your ancestors.’ But you did not pay attention or obey me.
He announced, “Turn, each of you, from your evil way of life and from your evil deeds. Live in the land the Lord gave to you and your ancestors long ago and for ever.
But as soon as they had relief, they again did what was evil in your sight. So you abandoned them to the power of their enemies, who dominated them. When they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven and rescued them many times in your compassion.
If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Wouldn’t such a land become totally defiled? But you! You have prostituted yourself with many partners – can you return to me? This is the Lord’s declaration.
But you may ask, “Why doesn’t the son suffer punishment for the father’s iniquity? ” Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all my statutes, he will certainly live.
So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, ‘Asa and all Judah and Benjamin, hear me. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will abandon you.