Jeremiah 30:1-Jeremiah 31:26 - Israel And Judah Will Be Delivered From Their Distress

¹ This message came from the LORD to Jeremiah: ² "This is what the LORD God of Israel says: "Write all the words that I've spoken to you in a book. ³ Indeed, the time will come,' declares the LORD, "when I'll restore the security of my people Israel and Judah,' says the LORD. "I'll bring them back to the land that I gave to their ancestors, and they'll possess it.'"

⁴ These are the words that the LORD spoke about Israel and Judah: ⁵ "Indeed, this is what the LORD says: "We have heard a sound of terror and of fear, and there is no peace. ⁶ Ask about this and think about it Can a man give birth to a child? Why then do I see every strong man with his hands on his thighs like a woman giving birth, and all their faces have turned pale? ⁷ Oh how terrible! That time will be worse than any like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be rescued from it.

⁸ On that day,' declares the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, "I'll break the yoke from your neck and will tear off your restraints. Foreigners will no longer make you serve them. ⁹ Rather, they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

¹⁰ "My servant Jacob, don't be afraid,' declares the LORD, "and Israel, don't be dismayed. For I'll deliver you from a distant place and your descendants from the land of their captivity. Jacob will return. He will be undisturbed and secure, and no one will cause him to fear. ¹¹ For I'll be with you to save you,' declares the LORD. "For I'll put an end to all the nations where I scattered you; but I won't make an end of you. I'll discipline you justly, but I certainly won't leave you unpunished.'

¹² "For this is what the LORD says: "Your injury won't heal; your wound is severe. ¹³ There is no one to plead your cause. There is no medicine for your sore; no healing for you. ¹⁴ All your lovers have forgotten you; they don't seek you. Indeed, I've struck you down with the blow of an enemy, with the punishment of a cruel foe because your wickedness is great, and your sins are numerous. ¹⁵ Why do you cry out because of your injury? Your wound won't heal. Because your wickedness is severe, and your sins are numerous, I've done all these things to you. ¹⁶ In addition, all who devour you will be devoured, and all your oppressors all of them will go into captivity. Those who plunder you will become plunder, and all who spoil you will become spoil. ¹⁷ Indeed, I'll bring you healing, and I'll heal you of your wounds,' declares the LORD, "because they have called you an outcast and have said, "It is Zion, no one cares for her!"'"

¹⁸ "This is what the LORD says: "I'm going to restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob and have compassion on his dwellings. A city will be rebuilt on its ruins and a palace will sit on its rightful place. ¹⁹ Thanksgiving and the sounds of laughter will come out of them. I'll cause them to increase in numbers and not decrease. I'll honor them and not make them insignificant. ²⁰ Their children will be as they were before, and their congregation will be established before me. I'll punish all who oppress them. ²¹ Their leader will be one of their own, and their ruler will come from among them. I'll bring him near, and he will approach me, for who would otherwise dare to approach me?' declares the LORD. ²² "You will be my people, and I'll be your God.'"

²³ Look, the storm of the LORD! His wrath has gone forth, a twisting storm. It will swirl around the head of the wicked. ²⁴ The fierce anger of the LORD won't turn back until he has accomplished and established the plan of his heart. In the days to come, you will understand this.

¹ "At that time," declares the LORD, "I'll be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people."

² This is what the LORD says: "The people who survived the sword, found favor in the desert while Israel was seeking rest. ³ The LORD appeared to Israel from far away and said, "I've loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I've drawn you with gracious love. ⁴ I'll again build you, and you will be rebuilt, Virgin Israel! You will again take up your tambourines and go out to dance with those who are filled with joy. ⁵ You will again plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria where planters had planted and defiled the fruit. ⁶ For there will be a day when the watchmen will call out on the hills of Ephraim, "Arise, let's go up to Zion to the LORD our God.'"

⁷ For this is what the LORD says: "Cry out with joy for Jacob and shout for the chief among the nations. Announce, give praise, and say, "Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.' ⁸ Look, I'm bringing them from the northern region, and I'll gather them from the farthest parts of the earth. among them will be the blind and the lame, together with the pregnant woman and the woman in labor. A large group will return here. ⁹ They'll come crying, and I'll lead them as they pray for mercy. I'll make them walk by streams of water, along a straight path on which they won't stumble. For I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn." ¹⁰ Nations, listen to this message from the LORD, and declare it in the distant coastlands. Say, "The one who scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock." ¹¹ For the LORD will deliver Jacob and redeem him from the hand of one stronger than he. ¹² They'll come and cry out with joy on the heights of Zion. They'll be radiant over the LORD's goodness, over the grain, the new wine, the fresh oil, and over the young of the flocks and herds. Their lives will be like a well-watered garden. They'll never again grow faint. ¹³ The virgins will rejoice with dancing, together with young men and old men. For I'll turn their mourning into joy, and I'll comfort them and give them gladness instead of sorrow. ¹⁴ I'll give the priests abundant provisions, and my people will be satisfied with my goodness," declares the LORD.

¹⁵ This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter crying. Rachel is crying, and she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no longer alive."

¹⁶ This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from crying, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work," declares the LORD. "They'll return from the enemy's land. ¹⁷ There is hope for your future," declares the LORD. "Your children will return to their own territory." ¹⁸ "I've certainly heard Ephraim shuddering with grief as they said, "You have disciplined me, and I'm disciplined like an untrained calf. Restore me, and let me return, for you are the LORD my God. ¹⁹ Indeed, after I turned away, then I repented. And after I came to understand, I slapped my forehead. I was both ashamed and humiliated because I bear the disgrace of my youth.'" ²⁰ "Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a darling child? Indeed, as often as I've spoken about him, I surely still remember him. Therefore I deeply yearn for him. I'll surely have great compassion on him," declares the LORD.

²¹ Set up markers for yourselves. Erect signposts for yourselves. Pay attention to the highway, to the road you traveled. Return, virgin Israel, return to these cities of yours. ²² How long will you go this way and that, rebellious daughter? Indeed, the LORD will create a new thing on the earth; a woman will protect a man.

²³ This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, says: "They'll again speak this message in the land of Judah and its towns when I restore their fortunes: "The LORD bless you, righteous dwelling, holy mountain.' ²⁴ Judah and all its towns will live together in the land, along with farmers and those who follow the flock. ²⁵ I'll provide abundance for those who are weary, and fill all who are faint."

²⁶ Then I awoke and looked around, and I had had a pleasant sleep.