Jeremiah 31:1-13 ▼

1 “At that time,” declares 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 survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness— Israel, when it went to find its rest.”

3 The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.

4 “Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! Again you shall take up your tambourines, And go forth to the dances of the merrymakers.

5 “Again you shall plant vineyards On the hills of Samaria; The planters shall plant And shall enjoy them.

6 “For there shall be a day when watchmen On the hills of Ephraim shall call out, ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, To the LORD our God.’”

7 For thus says the LORD, “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, And shout among the chiefs of the nations; Proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save Thy people, The remnant of Israel.’

8 “Behold, I am bringing them from the north country, And I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth, Among them the blind and the lame, The woman with child and she who is in labor with child, together; A great company, they shall return here.

9 “With weeping they shall come, And by supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk by streams of waters, On a straight path 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 nations, And declare in the coastlands afar off, And say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, And keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.”

11 For the LORD has ransomed Jacob, And redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.

12 “And they shall come and shout for joy on the height of Zion, And they shall be radiant over the bounty of the LORD— Over the grain, and the new wine, and the oil, And over the young of the flock and the herd; And their life shall be like a watered garden, And they shall never languish again.

13 “Then the virgin shall rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, together, For I will turn their mourning into joy, And will comfort them, and give them joy for their sorrow.