The following two pesukim seem to be discussing two different types of Teshuva; One is Teshuva that is the product of a person’s own recognition of his obligation to Hashem. The second type is when Klal Yisroel suffer so much that they cry and return to Hashem.
The Ohr Hachaim reads the two pessukim as follows – And you will search from there Hashem your G-d – that your hearts will be awakened to the love of Hashem, and you will find – even though you will be in the situation that the possuk describes, and you will have served false gods and done terrible aveiros, you will be safe from suffering, when you will search with your entire heart – that is, when the teshuva is a complete one, repairing the person’s entire heart and soul. In this case, there is no necessity for any suffering or cleansing process, the person doing Teshuva has cleansed himself through his pure teshuva that came about through his own accord.
However, if Klal Yisroel do not merit this, then in your pain when this suffering shall befall you... and you will return – this means when Klal Yisroel will undergo the suffering from the enemies of Hashem. In this case, Teshuva with the entire heart and soul is unnecessary, the suffering takes the place of the pure Teshuva. The suffering purifies the soul and cleanses it from its sins, so the complete process of Teshuva is no longer imperative for Hashem to accept it and return us to Eretz Yisroel.
If someone asks, how does this work? Why is Hashem willing to accept Teshuva without suffering? Or alternatively, why is Hashem willing to accept Teshuva that is not wholehearted? The Torah answers this question – for Hashem your G-d is a merciful G-d, it is that merciful trait of His that is the reason for His willingness to accept our Teshuva, even when it is deficient, lacking suffering or wholeheartedness.
