⁹ With weeping they shall come,
    and with consolations^[a] I will lead them back;
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
    in a straight path where they shall not stumble,
for I have become a father to Israel,
    and Ephraim is my firstborn.^(A)

⁴ Have you not just now called to me,
    “My Father, you are the friend of my youth—^(A)

²⁰ Is Ephraim my dear son?
    Is he the child in whom I delight?
As often as I speak against him,
    I still remember him.
Therefore I am deeply moved for him;
    I will surely have mercy on him,
            says the Lord.^(A)

¹³     who led them through the depths?
Like a horse in the desert,
    they did not stumble.^(A)

²     He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;^[a](A)

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)

²¹ “Blessed are you who are hungry now,
    for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.^(A)