Jeremiah 31:18–20

I have heard Ephraim grieving,

‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined,

like an untrained calf;

bring me back that I may be restored,

for you are the Lord my God.

For after I had turned away, I relented,

and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh;

I was ashamed, and I was confounded,

because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

Is Ephraim my dear son?

Is he my darling child?

For as often as I speak against him,

I do remember him still.

Therefore my heart yearns for him;

I will surely have mercy on him,

declares the Lord.

“I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning:

‘You disciplined me like an unruly calf,

and I have been disciplined.

Restore me, and I will return,

because you are the Lord my God.

After I strayed,

I repented;

after I came to understand,

I beat my breast.

I was ashamed and humiliated

because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

Is not Ephraim my dear son,

the child in whom I delight?

Though I often speak against him,

I still remember him.

Therefore my heart yearns for him;

I have great compassion for him,”

declares the Lord.

I have surely heard Ephraim moaning,

“You disciplined me, and I have been disciplined

like an untrained calf.

Take me back, so that I can return,

for you, Lord, are my God.

After my return, I felt regret;

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

I was ashamed and humiliated

because I bore the disgrace of my youth.”

Isn’t Ephraim a precious son to me,

a delightful child?

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.

This is the Lord’s declaration.

I have heard Israel saying,

‘You disciplined me severely,

like a calf that needs training for the yoke.

Turn me again to you and restore me,

for you alone are the Lord my God.

I turned away from God,

but then I was sorry.

I kicked myself for my stupidity!

I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days.’

“Is not Israel still my son,

my darling child?” says the Lord.

“I often have to punish him,

but I still love him.

That’s why I long for him

and surely will have mercy on him.

I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus;

Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised,

As a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke:

Turn thou me, and I shall be turned;

For thou art the Lord my God.

Surely after that I was turned, I repented;

And after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh:

I was ashamed, yea, even confounded,

Because I did bear the reproach of my youth.

Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child?

For since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still:

Therefore my bowels are troubled for him;

I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.