Hope for the Mountains of Israel

36 “Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel^(A) and say, ‘Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. ² This is what the Sovereign Lord says:^(B) The enemy said of you, “Aha!^(C) The ancient heights^(D) have become our possession.^(E)”’

⁸ “‘But you, mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit^(A) for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. ⁹ I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown,^{(B) 10} and I will cause many people to live on you—yes, all of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins^(C) rebuilt.^(D)

¹² I will cause people, my people Israel, to live on you. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance;^(A) you will never again deprive them of their children.

²⁴ “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.^(A)

³³ “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I cleanse^(A) you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins^(B) will be rebuilt.^{(C) 34} The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. ³⁵ They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden;^(D) the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited.^(E)” ³⁶ Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the Lord have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’^(F)