Jeremiah 31:1-10

New Living Translation

“Those who survive the coming destruction
    will find blessings even in the barren land,
    for I will give rest to the people of Israel.”

³ Long ago the Lord said to Israel:
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
    With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
⁴ I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel.
    You will again be happy
    and dance merrily with your tambourines.
⁵ Again you will plant your vineyards on the mountains of Samaria
    and eat from your own gardens there.
⁶ The day will come when watchmen will shout
    from the hill country of Ephraim,
‘Come, let us go up to Jerusalem^[a]
    to worship the Lord our God.’”

⁷ Now this is what the Lord says:
“Sing with joy for Israel.^[b]
    Shout for the greatest of nations!
Shout out with praise and joy:
‘Save your people, O Lord,
    the remnant of Israel!’
⁸ For I will bring them from the north
    and from the distant corners of the earth.
I will not forget the blind and lame,
    the expectant mothers and women in labor.
    A great company will return!
⁹ Tears of joy will stream down their faces,
    and I will lead them home with great care.
They will walk beside quiet streams
    and on smooth paths where they will not stumble.
For I am Israel’s father,
    and Ephraim is my oldest child.

¹⁰ “Listen to this message from the Lord,
    you nations of the world;
    proclaim it in distant coastlands:
The Lord, who scattered his people,
    will gather them and watch over them
    as a shepherd does his flock.