Jeremiah 30:8–13

8–9  “ ‘And then I’ll enter the darkness.

I’ll break the yoke from their necks,

Cut them loose from the harness.

No more slave labor to foreigners!

They’ll serve their God

and the David-King I’ll establish for them.

10–11  “ ‘So fear no more, Jacob, dear servant.

Don’t despair, Israel.

Look up! I’ll save you out of faraway places,

I’ll bring your children back from exile.

Jacob will come back and find life good,

safe and secure.

I’ll be with you. I’ll save you.

I’ll finish off all the godless nations

Among which I’ve scattered you,

but I won’t finish you off.

I’ll punish you, but fairly.

I won’t send you off with just a slap on the wrist.’

12–15  “This is God’s Message:

“ ‘You’re a burned-out case,

as good as dead.

Everyone has given up on you.

You’re hopeless.