Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

The mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God. For generations, you have been desolate and swallowed up by every side, made a possession for the nations to exploit. But I spoke against them in my jealousy and wrath because of the shame you endured.

They claimed your ancient high places as their own, but I spoke out against them because you had borne the shame of the nations. The Lord says, "You were desolate and swallowed up on every side, made a possession for the nations to plunder." Your reputation has been an evil report among people, spoken in hushed tones.

Thus says the Lord God to the mountains and hills, to the rivers and valleys, to the desolate wastes and forsaken cities that have become a byword among the nations surrounding you: "I spoke against the remaining nations and all Edom, who took possession of my land with joyful hearts and malicious intentions." They thought they could plunder it freely.

Prophesy concerning the land of Israel. Tell its mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys this: "Thus says the Lord God: I have spoken in my jealousy and fury because you bore the shame of the nations." But now I promise that the neighboring nations will bear their own shame.

You, O mountains of Israel, will burst forth with new life, producing fruit for my people who live among you. Behold, I am with you and will restore you to your former state. You will be cultivated and sown once more, and men and animals will thrive upon you.

I will multiply the house of Israel upon you, and cities will be inhabited again. The desolate land will flourish as it did before. Men and beasts will increase in number, producing fruit, and I will restore you to your former glory and do even better for you than at the beginning.

You will walk upon this land with me by your side, possessing it as an inheritance, just as I promised your ancestors. The Lord God says, "You once devoured men and bereaved your nations, but that era is over."

No longer will men speak of your shame among the nations, nor will you bear the reproach of the people. Your communities will no longer fall into despair. The word of the Lord came to me: "Will you judge them, O mortal? Will you condemn them?"

When Israel lived in their own land, they polluted it with wicked actions and corrupt ways that stood out like the uncleanness of a woman set aside by her husband. I poured out my fury upon them for the blood they shed on the land and for their idols that defiled it.

I scattered them among the nations according to their wicked ways and actions. When they entered foreign lands, they profaned my holy name by claiming they were the people of the Lord who had come from his land. I had pity on my holy name, which Israel had profaned in the eyes of the surrounding nations.

Thus says the Lord God: "I do not act for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for my holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations." I will consecrate my great name that has been profaned among the nations and by you. The nations will know that I am the Lord when I sanctify you before their eyes.

I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. I will cleanse you with clean water and wash away your filthiness and idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you, taking away the stony heart that once controlled you.

I will cause my Spirit to dwell within you, guiding you to walk in my statutes, keeping my judgments, and doing them. You will live in the land I gave your ancestors as an inheritance, and I will be your God.

I will save you from all uncleanness and call forth an abundance of grain. The fruit of the land will increase, and famine among the nations will no longer shame you. Then you will remember your wicked ways and evil deeds, loathing yourselves for your sins and detestable practices.

Not for your own sakes do I act, says the Lord God; be ashamed and confounded because of your own ways, O house of Israel. In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all iniquities, I will also cause you to dwell in rebuilt cities, and the desolate land will flourish once more.

They will say, "This land was once desolate but has become like the garden of Eden; its ruined cities are now restored and inhabited." The nations that remain around you will know that I, the Lord, am rebuilding the devastated places and replanting what was desolate. I have spoken it, and I will do it.

The Lord God says, "I will yet be inquired of by the house of Israel to do this for them; I will increase them with men like a flock." As Jerusalem's holy flock once filled the city during her sacred festivals, so too will the abandoned cities be replenished with multitudes of men. They will recognize that I am the Lord.