Jeremiah 31:15-20 - Lament Turned To Joy

¹⁵ This is what Jehovah 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.'

¹⁶ This is what Jehovah says: 'Stop your crying, and wipe away your tears. You will be rewarded for your work,' declares Jehovah. 'You will return from the land of the enemy.' ¹⁷ Your future is filled with hope,' says Jehovah. 'Your children will return to their own territory.' ¹⁸ I hear the people of Israel say in grief, 'Jehovah, we were like an untamed animal, but you taught us to obey. Bring us back for we are ready to return to you, Jehovah our God. ¹⁹ We turned away from you. But soon we wanted to return. After you had punished us we hung our heads in grief. We were ashamed and disgraced because we sinned when we were young.' ²⁰ Ephraim, O Ephraim my dear delightful son! Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still remember him. My heart yearns for him. I will surely have mercy on him, declares Jehovah.