Jeremiah 31:15–20

¹⁵Thus 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.”

¹⁶Thus 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.

¹⁷And there is hope for your future,” declaresⁱ Yahweh,

“and your children will return to their territory.

¹⁸Indeed 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.

¹⁹For 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.’

²⁰Is 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.