[20:33] “As surely as I, the Sovereign Lord, am the living God, I warn you that in my anger I will rule over you with a strong hand, with all my power.
[20:34] I will show you my power and my anger when I gather you together and bring you back from all the countries where you have been scattered.
[20:35] I will bring you into the ‘Desert of the Nations,’ and there I will condemn you to your face.
[20:36] I will now condemn you just as I condemned your ancestors in the Sinai Desert,” says the Sovereign Lord.
[20:37] “I will take firm control of you and make you obey my covenant.
[20:38] I will take away from among you those who are rebellious and sinful. I will take them out of the lands where they are living now, but I will not let them return to the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
[20:39] The Sovereign Lord says, “And now, all you Israelites, suit yourselves! Go on and serve your idols! But I warn you that after this you will have to obey me and stop dishonoring my holy name by offering gifts to your idols.
[20:40] There in the land, on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, all you people of Israel will worship me. I will be pleased with you and will expect you to bring me your sacrifices, your best offerings, and your holy gifts.
[20:41] After I bring you out of the countries where you have been scattered and gather you together, I will accept the sacrifices that you burn, and the nations will see that I am holy.
[20:42] When I bring you back to Israel, the land that I promised I would give to your ancestors, then you will know that I am the Lord.
[20:43] Then you will remember all the disgraceful things you did and how you defiled yourselves. You will be disgusted with yourselves because of all the evil things you did.
[20:44] When I act to protect my honor, you Israelites will know that I am the Lord, because I do not deal with you as your wicked, evil actions deserve.” The Sovereign Lord has spoken.