Return to God
You are unfaithful children,
but you belong to me.
Come home!
I’ll take one or two of you
from each town and clan
and bring you to Zion. ~ Jeremiah 3:14 (CEV)
Years later, John the Baptist started preaching in the desert of Judea. He said, “Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven will soon be here.” ~ Matthew 3:1–2 (CEV)
Lord, your message does not ever seem to change. You want us to stop doing things that are not a part of your way, and to return to you and doing things your way. It's pretty amazing that you keep wanting us back when we are so prone to forget you and your ways. I'm sorry that I am among the unfaithful. I'm turning to you and am grateful for your unceasing invitation. Thank you for your kindness. I'm going to let that kindness change me. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
