Jeremiah 31:1-13 ▼

1 At that time—oracle of 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 the sword find favor in the wilderness. As Israel comes forward to receive rest,

3 from afar the LORD appears: With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you.

4 Again I will build you, and you shall stay built, virgin Israel; Carrying your festive tambourines, you shall go forth dancing with merrymakers.

5 You shall again plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; those who plant them shall enjoy their fruits.

6 Yes, a day will come when the watchmen call out on Mount Ephraim: “Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD, our God.”

7 For thus says the LORD: Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The LORD has saved his people, the remnant of Israel.

8 Look! I will bring them back from the land of the north; I will gather them from the ends of the earth, the blind and the lame in their midst, Pregnant women, together with those in labor— an immense throng—they shall return.

9 With weeping they shall come, but with compassion I will guide them; I will lead them to streams of water, on a level road, without stumbling. For I am a father to Israel, Ephraim is my firstborn.

10 Hear the word of the LORD, you nations, proclaim it on distant coasts, and say: The One who scattered Israel, now gathers them; he guards them as a shepherd his flock.

11 The LORD shall ransom Jacob, he shall redeem him from a hand too strong for him.

12 Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion, they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings: The grain, the wine, and the oil, flocks of sheep and cattle; They themselves shall be like watered gardens, never again neglected.

13 Then young women shall make merry and dance, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will show them compassion and have them rejoice after their sorrows.