4 but when in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them.

19 Yet he ⁱsent prophets among them to bring them back to the Lord. These testified against them, but they would not pay attention.

6 So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his princes, as the king had commanded, saying, “O people of Israel, ^xreturn to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped ^yfrom the hand of the kings of Assyria.

9 For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your children will find ^bcompassion with their captors and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.”

13 ^zHe also ^arebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, ^bwho had made him swear by God. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord, the God of Israel.