Jeremiah 31:2-22

2This is what the Lord says: The people who survived the wars have found favor in the desert. Israel went to find its rest.

3The Lord appeared to me in a faraway place and said, “I love you with an everlasting love. So I will continue to show you my kindness.

4Once again I will build you up, and you will be rebuilt, my dear people Israel. Once again you will take your tambourines, and you will go dancing with happy people.

5Once again you will plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria. Those who plant them will enjoy the fruit.

6There will be a day when watchmen on the mountains of Ephraim will call out this message: ‘Arise! Let’s go to Zion, to the Lord our God.’ ”

7This is what the Lord says: Sing a happy song about Jacob. Sing joyfully for the leader of the nations. Shout, sing praise, and say, “O Lord, rescue your people, the remaining few from Israel.”

8“I will bring them from the land of the north. I will gather them from the farthest parts of the earth. Blind people and lame people will return together with pregnant women and those in labor. A large crowd will return here.

9They will cry as they return. They will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams on a level path where they will not stumble. I will be a Father to Israel, and Ephraim will be my firstborn.

10“You nations, listen to the Lord’s word. Tell it to the distant islands. Say, ‘The one who scattered the people of Israel will gather them and watch over them as a shepherd watches over his flock.’

11The Lord will free the descendants of Jacob and reclaim them from those who are stronger than they are.

12They will come and shout for joy on top of Mount Zion. They will stream to it to enjoy the Lord’s blessings: fresh grain, new wine, and olive oil, lambs and calves. Their lives will be like well-watered gardens, and they will never suffer again.

13Then young women will rejoice and dance along with young men and old men. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them. I will give them joy in place of their sorrow.

14I will satisfy the priests with rich food. My people will be filled with my blessings,” declares the Lord.

15This is what the Lord says: A sound is heard in Ramah, the sound of crying in bitter grief. Rachel is crying for her children. She refuses to be comforted, because they are dead.

16This is what the Lord says: Stop your crying, and wipe away your tears. You will be rewarded for your work, declares the Lord. You will return from the land of the enemy.

17Your future is filled with hope, declares the Lord. Your children will return to their own territory.

18“I have certainly heard Ephraim mourn and say, ‘You disciplined me, and I was disciplined. I was like a young, untrained calf. Turn me, and I will be turned, because you are the Lord my God.

19After I was turned around, I changed the way I thought and acted. After I was taught a lesson, I hung my head in shame. I was so ashamed and humiliated, because of all the stupid things I have done ever since I was young.’

20Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a pleasant child? Even though I have often spoken against him, I still think fondly of him. That is why my heart longs for him, and I will certainly have compassion on him,” declares the Lord.

21Set up landmarks! Put up road signs! Remember the highway, the road on which you traveled. Come back, my dear people Israel, come back to your cities.

22How long will you wander around, you unfaithful people? The Lord will create something new on earth: A woman will protect a man.