16 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 17 Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by [doing] their [own] way and by their [idolatrous] doings. Their conduct before Me was like the uncleanness of a woman during her [physical] impurity. 18 So I poured out My wrath upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land and for their idols with which they had defiled it. 19 And I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries; according to their conduct and their [idolatrous] deeds I judged and punished them. 20 And when they came to the nations to which they went, they profaned My holy name in that men said of them, These are the people of the Lord, and yet they had to go forth out of His land. 21 But I had regard, concern, and compassion for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they went.