Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
Go and proclaim - not actually, but turn and proclaim toward the north (Media and Assyria, where the ten tribes were located by Tiglath-pileser in the days of Pekah king of Israel, and Shalmaneser in the ninth year of Hoshea's reign, 2 Kings 15:29; 2 Kings 17:6; 2 Kings 18:9; 2 Kings 18:11).
Return, thou backsliding Israel - Hebrew, shuwbaah (H7725), mªshubaah (H4878) Yisraa'eel (H3478) (backslider, turn back), a play on sounds. In order to provoke Judah to godly jealousy (Romans 11:14) Yahweh addresses the exiled ten tribes of Israel with a loving invitation.
Cause mine anger to fall - literally, I will not let fall my countenance (cf. Genesis 4:5-6, "Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell;" Job 29:24).
Keep - anger is to be supplied (remark, Jeremiah 3:5).