he house of Israel, are my people,
saith the Lord God. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men,
and I am your God, saith the Lord God.' Ezek. 34:29. 'As the mountains
are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from
henceforth, even for ever.' Psa. 125:2.

"'When the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled
it by their own way and by their doings. And I scattered them among
the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries; according
to their ways and according to their doings I judged them. And when
they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my
holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the Lord,
and are gone forth out of his land. But I had pity for my holy name,
which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they
went. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God:
I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for my holy
name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye
went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the
heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen
shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be
sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among
the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you
into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye
shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols,
will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit
will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of
your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my
Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall
keep my judgments, and do them. I will also save you from all your
uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and
lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and
the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of
famine among the heathen. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways,
and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in
your own sight for your iniquities, and for your abominations. Not for
your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God, be it known unto you: be
ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.'
Ezek. 36:17, etc."

EZ