16 The word of the Lord came to me:
17 “Son of man, while the house of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it with their conduct and actions. Their behavior before Me was like menstrual impurity.
18 So I poured out My wrath on them because of the blood they had shed on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols.
19 I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered among the countries. I judged them according to their conduct and actions.
20 When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said about them, ‘These are the people of Yahweh, yet they had to leave His land in exile.’
21 Then I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they went.
22 “Therefore, say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord God says: It is not for your sake that I will act, house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations where you went.