Jeremiah 31:1–14

God’s Relationship with His People

31“At that time”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“I will be the God of all the families of Israel, ⁿand they will be My people.”

²This is what the Lord says:

They found favor in the wilderness ^o—

the people who survived the sword.

When Israel went to find rest, ^p

³the Lord appeared to him ^qfrom far away.

I have loved you with an everlasting love; ^r

therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you. ^s

⁴Again I will build you so that you will be rebuilt,

Virgin Israel. ^t

You will take up your tambourines again ^u

and go out in joyful dancing.

⁵You will plant vineyards again ^v

on the mountains of Samaria;

the planters will plant and will enjoy the fruit. ^w

⁶For there will be a day when watchmen will call out

in the hill country of Ephraim,

“Get up, let’s go up to Zion, ^x

to Yahweh our God!”

God’s People Brought Home

⁷For this is what the Lord says:

Sing with joy for Jacob;

shout for the chief of the nations!

Proclaim, praise, and say,

“Lord, save Your people, ^y

the remnant of Israel!” ^z

⁸Watch! I am going to bring them from the northern land.

I will gather them from remote regions of the earth ^a—

the blind and the lame will be with them, ^b

along with those who are pregnant and those about to give birth.

They will return here as a great assembly! ^c

⁹They will come weeping,

but I will bring them back with consolation. ^de

I will lead them to wadis filled with water

by a smooth way where they will not stumble, ^f

for I am Israel’s Father,

and Ephraim is My firstborn. ^g

¹⁰Nations, hear the word of the Lord,

and tell it among the far off coastlands! ^h

Say: The One who scattered Israel will gather him. ⁱ

He will watch over him as a shepherd guards his flock,

¹¹for the Lord has ransomed Jacob

and redeemed him from the power of one stronger than he. ^j

¹²They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; ^k

they will be radiant with joy ^l

because of ^mthe Lord’s goodness,

because of the grain, the new wine, the fresh oil, ⁿ

and because of the young of the flocks and herds.

Their life will be like an irrigated garden,

and they will no longer grow weak from hunger.

¹³Then the young woman will rejoice with dancing,

while young and old men rejoice together.

I will turn their mourning into joy, ^o

give them consolation,

and bring happiness out of grief.

¹⁴I will refresh the priests with an abundance, ^pq

and My people will be satisfied with My goodness.

This is the Lord’s declaration.