Jeremiah 31:15–20

LAMENT TURNED TO JOY

¹⁵This is what the Lord says:

A voice was heard in Ramah,^c

a lament with bitter weeping—

Rachel weeping for her children,

refusing to be comforted for her children

because they are no more.^d

¹⁶This is what the Lord says:

Keep your voice from weeping

and your eyes from tears,

for the reward for your work will come—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

and your children will return from the enemy’s land.

¹⁷There is hope for your future^e—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

and your children will return to their own territory.

¹⁸I have surely heard Ephraim moaning,

“You disciplined me, and I have been disciplined

like an untrained calf.^f

Take me back, so that I can return,

for you, Lord, are my God.^g

¹⁹After my return, I felt regret;

After I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief.^h

I was ashamed and humiliatedⁱ

because I bore the disgrace of my youth.”

²⁰Isn’t Ephraim a precious son to me,

a delightful child?^j

Whenever I speak against him,

I certainly still think about him.

Therefore, my inner being yearns for him;

I will truly have compassion on him.^k

This is the Lord’s declaration.