15 Thus says Yahweh,

“A voice is heard in Ramah,

lamentation, the weeping of bitterness.

Rachel is weeping for her children;

she refuses to be comforted because of her children,

for they are no more.”

16 Thus says Yahweh:

“Restrain your voice from weeping,

and your eyes from tears,

for there is a reward for your work,” ⌊declares⌋h Yahweh,

“and they will return from the land of the enemy.

17 And there is hope for your future,” ⌊declares⌋i Yahweh,

“and your children will return to their territory.

18 Indeed I heard Ephraim pitying themselves,

‘You disciplined me, and I was disciplined,

like a calf that is not trained.

Bring me back and let me return,

for you are Yahweh my God.

19 For after my turning back I repented,

and after coming to understand I struck my thigh.

I was ashamed and also humiliated,

because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

20 Is Ephraim my dear son,

or the child of my delight?

For ⌊as often as⌋j I have earnestly spoken against him,

I still remember him.

⌊Therefore⌋k my bowels are turbulent for him,

surely I will have compassion on him,” ⌊declares⌋l Yahweh.

21 “Set up for yourself road markers,

make for yourself signposts,

set your ⌊mind⌋m to the main road,

the road by which you went.

Return, O virgin of Israel,

return to these your cities.

22 ⌊How long⌋n will you waver, O unfaithful daughter?

For Yahweh has created a new thing on the earth,

a woman, she shelters a man.”