³ Wherever I banish them,^(A) all the survivors of this evil nation will prefer death to life,^(B) declares the Lord Almighty.’

⁶ During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.^(A)

⁸ but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”^(A)

³ “I myself will gather the remnant^(A) of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture,^(B) where they will be fruitful and increase in number.

⁴ Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens,^(A) from there the Lord your God will gather^(B) you and bring you back.^(C)

³ Now, Lord, take away my life,^(A) for it is better for me to die^(B) than to live.”^(C)