¹⁸ I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
    I will lead them and repay them with comfort,

¹⁷ for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,
    and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”^(A)

²² Return, O faithless children,
    I will heal your faithlessness.

⁴ I will heal their disloyalty;
    I will love them freely,
    for my anger has turned from them.^(A)
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
    he shall blossom like the lily;
    he shall strike root like the forests of Lebanon.^[a](B)
6 His shoots shall spread out;
    his beauty shall be like the olive tree
    and his fragrance like that of Lebanon.^(C)
7 They shall again live beneath my^[b] shadow;
    they shall flourish as a garden;^[c]
they shall blossom like the vine;
    their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon.^(D)

³     the Lord appeared to him^[a] from far away.^[b]
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.^(A)

¹⁷ But if you will not listen,
    my soul will weep in secret for your pride;
my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears
    because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive.^(A)

¹⁰ they shall not hunger or thirst,
    neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down,
for he who has pity on them will lead them
    and by springs of water will guide them.^(A)