Now these are the chiefs of the province who lived in Yerushalayim: but in the cities of Yehudah lived everyone in his possession in their cities, [to wit], Yisra'el, the Kohanim, and the Levites, and the temple servants 1, and the children of Shlomo's servants.
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Yisra'el: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way that you should go.
They shall come with weeping; and with petitions will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Yisra'el, and Efrayim is my firstborn.
Thus says the LORD, Stand you in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk [therein].
Whether it was two days, or a month, or a year that the cloud stayed on the tabernacle, remaining on it, the children of Yisra'el remained encamped, and didn't travel; but when it was taken up, they traveled.
But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy mitzvah delivered to them.