¹⁸ I have seen their ways, but I will heal^(A) them;
    I will guide^(B) them and restore comfort^(C) to Israel’s mourners,

¹⁷ For the Lamb at the center of the throne
    will be their shepherd;^(A)
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’^[a](B)
    ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’^[b]”^(C)

²² “Return,^(A) faithless people;
    I will cure^(B) you of backsliding.”^(C)

“Yes, we will come to you,
    for you are the Lord our God.

⁴ “I will heal^(A) their waywardness^(B)
    and love them freely,^(C)
    for my anger has turned away^(D) from them.
⁵ I will be like the dew^(E) to Israel;
    he will blossom like a lily.^(F)
Like a cedar of Lebanon^(G)
    he will send down his roots;^(H)
6     his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,^(I)
    his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.^(J)
7 People will dwell again in his shade;^(K)
    they will flourish like the grain,
they will blossom^(L) like the vine—
    Israel’s fame will be like the wine^(M) of Lebanon.^(N)
8 Ephraim, what more have I^[a] to do with idols?^(O)
    I will answer him and care for him.
I am like a flourishing juniper;^(P)
    your fruitfulness comes from me.”

“I have loved^(A) you with an everlasting love;
    I have drawn^(B) you with unfailing kindness.

¹⁸ “I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning:
    ‘You disciplined^(A) me like an unruly calf,^(B)
    and I have been disciplined.
Restore^(C) me, and I will return,
    because you are the Lord my God.
¹⁹ After I strayed,^(D)
    I repented;
after I came to understand,
    I beat^(E) my breast.
I was ashamed^(F) and humiliated
    because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’^(G)
20 Is not Ephraim my dear son,
    the child^(H) in whom I delight?
Though I often speak against him,
    I still remember^(I) him.
Therefore my heart yearns for him;
    I have great compassion^(J) for him,”
declares the Lord.