Jeremiah 31:1-13 ▼

1 AT that time, says the LORD, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.

2 Thus says the LORD: The people who escaped from the sword found compassion in the wilderness when Israel went into exile.

3 The LORD has appeared to me from afar, saying, Yea, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn you.

4 Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin of Israel; you shall again be adorned with your ornaments, and shall go forth in the assembly of those who make merry.

5 You shall again plant vineyards on the mountain of Samaria. Yea, you will plant vines and sing.

6 For the day is coming when the watchmen on mount Ephraim shall cry, saying, Arise, and let us go up to Zion to the LORD our God.

7 For thus says the LORD: Sing with gladness, O house of Jacob, and rejoice among the chief of the nations; publish, give praise, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.

8 Behold, I will bring them from the north land, and gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth, and also the lame and the blind who are among them, the woman with child and her that is in travail together; a great company shall they return here.

9 They shall go with weeping, but they shall return with fervent prayer; I will lead them by the paths that have water, in straight ways in which they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first-born.

10 Hear the word of the LORD, O you his people, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He who scattered Israel will gather him, and shall keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.

11 For the LORD has saved his servant Jacob, and delivered him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.

12 Therefore they shall come and sing on the height of Zion, and they shall be happy because of the goodness of the LORD, for the wheat, for the wine, and for the oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd; and their soul shall be like a watered garden; and they shall not lack any more.

13 Then shall the virgin rejoice and be glad, both young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them and make them rejoice from their sorrow.