Perhapsthey will listenand everyonewill turnfrom his evilway,that I may repentof the calamitywhichI am planningto doto them becauseof the evilof their deeds.'
It cameabout when Ahabheardthesewords,that he torehis clothesand puton sackclothand fasted,and he layin sackclothand wentabout despondently.
"Do you seehowAhabhas humbledhimself beforeMe? Becausehe has humbledhimself beforeMe, I will not bringthe evilin his days,[but] I will bringthe evilupon his housein his son'sdays."
"Nowtherefore amendyour waysand your deedsand obeythe voiceof the LORDyour God;and the LORDwill changeHis mindaboutthe misfortunewhichHe has pronouncedagainstyou.
"Did Hezekiahkingof Judahand allJudahputhim to death?Did he not fearthe LORDand entreatthe favorof the LORD,and the LORDchangedHis mindaboutthe misfortunewhichHe had pronouncedagainstthem? But we are committinga greatevilagainstourselves."
"Perhapsthe houseof Judahwill hearallthe calamitywhichI planto bringon them, in orderthat everymanwill turnfrom his evilway;then I will forgivetheir iniquityand their sin."
"Perhapstheir supplicationwill comebeforethe LORD,and everyonewill turnfrom his evilway,for greatis the angerand the wraththat the LORDhas pronouncedagainstthispeople."
"Therefore, sonof man,preparefor yourself baggagefor exileand gointo exileby dayin their sight;even gointo exilefrom your placeto anotherplacein their sight.Perhapsthey will understandthoughthey are a rebellioushouse.
"But ifthe wickedmanturnsfrom allhis sinswhichhe has committedand observesallMy statutesand practicesjusticeand righteousness,he shall surelylive;he shall not die.
I will not executeMy fierceanger;I will not destroyEphraimagain.For I am Godand not man,the HolyOnein your midst,And I will not comein wrath.
Whoknowswhether He will [not] turnand relentAnd leavea blessingbehindHim, [Even] a grain offeringand a drinkofferingFor the LORDyour God?
He prayedto the LORDand said,"PleaseLORD,was not thiswhatI saidwhileI was stillin my [own] country?Thereforein order to forestallthis I fledto Tarshish,for I knewthat You are a graciousand compassionateGod,slowto angerand abundantin lovingkindness,and one who relentsconcerningcalamity.
