Jeremiah 31:23-34

23The Lord Almighty, Israel's God, says this: ‘I will bring my people back from the land where they have been prisoners. Then the people in the towns of Judah will again say, “We pray that the Lord will bless you, Jerusalem. You are the special place where he lives on his holy mountain!”

24People will live together in the towns of Judah. Farmers and shepherds will work in the fields.

25I will help those who feel tired. I will make those who feel weak strong again.

26Then they will say, “When I woke from my sleep and I looked around, I was happy.” ’

27The Lord says this: ‘The time will come when I fill the lands of Israel and Judah with people and animals.

28In past time, I chose to pull them out of their land, like a plant with its roots. I knocked them down and I destroyed them. But now I will put them in their land again, like strong plants.’ That is what the Lord says.

29‘When that happens, people will not say, “The fathers have eaten bitter fruit, but it causes their children's teeth to hurt.”

30Instead, I will punish everyone for their own sins. It will be the teeth of the person who eats bitter fruit that will hurt.’

31The Lord says, ‘A time will soon come when I make a new covenant with Israel's people and with Judah's people.

32It will not be like the old covenant that I made with their ancestors. At that time, I brought them safely out of Egypt. I took care of them, like a faithful husband who takes care of his wife. But they did not obey my covenant.’ That is what the Lord says.

33‘Yes, I will make a new covenant with Israel's people at that time. It will be like this: I will put my law deep inside them, in their hearts and minds. I will be their God, and they will be my people.’ That is what the Lord says.

34‘Then people will not have to teach their friends or their family about me. They will all know me already. The important people and the ordinary people will all know me. I will forgive the wicked things that they have done. I will no longer think about their sins.’ That is what the Lord says.