3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Return Is. 31:6; 44:22; (Mic. 7:19; Mal. 3:7–10; Luke 15:20; James 4:8)to Me," says the Lord of hosts, "and I will return to you," says the Lord of hosts. 4 "Do not be like your fathers, 2 Chr. 36:15, 16to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: Is. 31:6; Jer. 3:12; 18:11; Ezek. 18:30; (Hos. 14:1)"Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds." ’ But they did not hear nor heed Me," says the Lord.
5 "Your fathers, where are they?
And the prophets, do they live forever?
6 Yet surely (Is. 55:11)My words and My statutes,
Which I commanded My servants the prophets,
Did they not overtake your fathers?
"So they returned and said:
Lam. 1:18; 2:17‘Just as the Lord of hosts determined to do to us,
According to our ways and according to our deeds,
So He has dealt with us.’ " ’ "