Jeremiah 31:7-14

Contemporary English Version

⁸ I, the Lord, will bring
my people back from Babylonia^[a]
    and everywhere else on earth.
The blind and the lame
    will be there.
Expectant mothers
    and women about to give birth
will come and be part
    of that great crowd.
⁹ They will weep and pray
    as I bring them home.
I will lead them
    to streams of water.
They will walk on a level^[b] road
    and not stumble.
I am a father to Israel,^[c]
    my favorite children.

¹⁰ Listen to me, you nations
    nearby or across the sea.
I scattered the people of Israel,
    but I will gather them again.
I will protect them like a shepherd
    guarding a flock;
¹¹ I will rescue them from enemies
    who could overpower them.
¹² My people will come
    to Mount Zion
    and celebrate;
their faces will glow
    because of my blessings.
I'll give them grain, grapes,
and olive oil,
    as well as sheep and cattle.
Israel will be prosperous
and grow like a garden
    with plenty of water.
¹³ Young women and young men,
together with the elderly,
    will celebrate and dance,
because I will comfort them
and turn their sorrow
    into happiness.
¹⁴ I will bless my people
with more food
    than they need,
and the priests will enjoy
    the choice cuts of meat.
I, the Lord, have spoken.