Berean Standard Bible

Jeremiah 31:2-22

2This is what the LORD says:

“The people who survived the swordfound favor in the wildernesswhen Israel went to find rest.”

3The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:1

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.4Again I will build you, and you will be rebuilt,O Virgin Israel.Again you will take up your tambourinesand go out in joyful dancing.5Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria;the farmers will plant and enjoy the fruit.6For there will be a day when watchmen will call outon the hills of Ephraim,‘Arise, let us go up to Zion,to the LORD our God!’”

7For this is what the LORD says:

“Sing with joy for Jacob;shout for the foremost of the nations!Make your praises heard, and say,‘O LORD, save Your people,the remnant of Israel!’

8Behold, I will bring them from the land of the northand gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,including the blind and the lame,expectant mothers and women in labor.They will return as a great assembly!

9They will come with weeping,and by their supplication I will lead them;I will make them walk beside streams of waters,on a level path where they will not stumble.For I am Israel’s Father,and Ephraim is My firstborn.”

10Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD,and proclaim it in distant coastlands:

“The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep themas a shepherd keeps his flock.11For the LORD has ransomed Jacoband redeemed him from the hand that had overpowered him.12They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—the grain, new wine, and oil,and the young of the flocks and herds.Their life will be like a well-watered garden,and never again will they languish.

13Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing,young men and old as well.I will turn their mourning into joy,and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow.14I will fill the souls of the priests abundantly,and will fill My people with My goodness,”declares the LORD.

15This is what the LORD says:

“A voice is heard in Ramah,mourning and great weeping,Rachel weeping for her childrenand refusing to be comforted,because they are no more.”2

16This is what the LORD says:

“Keep your voice from weepingand your eyes from tears,for the reward for your work will come,declares the LORD.Then your children will returnfrom the land of the enemy.17So there is hope for your future,declares the LORD,and your children will returnto their own land.

18I have surely heard Ephraim’s3 moaning:

‘You disciplined me severely,like an untrained calf.Restore me, that I may return,for You are the LORD my God.19After I returned, I repented;and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief.I was ashamed and humiliatedbecause I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

20Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me,a delightful child?Though I often speak against him,I still remember him.Therefore My heart yearns for him;4I have great compassion for him,”declares the LORD.21“Set up the road markers,put up the signposts.Keep the highway in mind,the road you have traveled.Return, O Virgin Israel,return to these cities of yours.22How long will you wander,O faithless daughter?For the LORD has created a new thing in the land—a woman will shelter5 a man.”

Read all of Jeremiah 31

Notes

1. Jeremiah 31:3 Or The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying ↩
2. Jeremiah 31:15 Cited in Matthew 2:18 ↩
3. Jeremiah 31:18 That is, the northern kingdom of Israel; also in verse 20 ↩
4. Jeremiah 31:20 Hebrew My bowels yearn for him ↩
5. Jeremiah 31:22 Or will surround or will return to ↩

Notes

Commentaries on Jeremiah 31