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.

¹⁰ They will neither hunger nor thirst,^(A)
    nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them.^(B)
He who has compassion^(C) on them will guide^(D) them
    and lead them beside springs^(E) of water.