Jeremiah 31:1-6

Contemporary English Version

Israel Will Return to God

31 The Lord said:

Israel, I promise
    that someday all your tribes
will again be my people,
    and I will be your God.
²In the desert I was kind
    to those who escaped death.
I gave them peace,
    and when the time is right,
I'll do the same for you.^[a]
    I, the Lord, have spoken.

The Lord Will Rebuild Israel

³Some time ago, the Lord appeared to me^[b] and told me to say:

Israel, I will always love you;
that's why I've been so patient
    and kind.
⁴You are precious to me,
and so I will rebuild
    your nation.
Once again you will dance for joy
    and play your tambourines.
⁵You will plant vineyards
on the hills of Samaria
    and enjoy the grapes.
⁶Someday those who guard
    the hill country of Ephraim
will shout, “Let's go to Zion
and worship the Lord our God.”

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Footnotes

31.2 In the desert … same for you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
31.3 Some time … me: Or “The Lord appeared to me from far away.”