Jeremiah 3:13
Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
Only acknowledge iniquity, and return to God begins there, for confession and repentance are required of all who would come back to him. The acknowledgment is confession of sin and transgression against the Lord, to which forgiveness and cleansing are promised. It is a plea to return with wholehearted repentance, since even one who has backslidden may still be converted and saved through humble, repentant faith in his promises.
The iniquity to be acknowledged is transgression and rebellion against the Lord, unfaithfulness and refusal to obey his voice. It is scattering ways among strangers, pursuing other gods and idolatry under every green tree and following unfaithful ways. Forgiveness begins with acknowledging that turning against the Lord, and confession is joined with his promise to cleanse from impurity and idols.
In its setting the offer of mercy if it would turn back was held out to backsliding Israel, while Judah had not returned wholeheartedly but only pretended to do so. The nation's outward cleansing of idolatrous shrines had not transformed hearts, and continued backsliding threatened disaster. Loyalty to Jehovah was necessary for divine favor and prosperity.
The acknowledgment called for is honest recognition of one's true sinful condition, bringing contrition and a sense of need for Christ. It applies especially to those who claim to belong to God yet are spiritually blind and unfaithful. Through the Holy Spirit it produces sorrow for sin that recognizes the hurt caused to the Savior and leads to giving up sin in wholehearted repentance. Without that recognition a person will not seek pardon, peace, or healing.
Confession is joined to God's promise of mercy and forgiveness: he will pardon transgression, cleanse from impurity and idols, not remain angry forever, and heal those who return so they need not remain under his anger.