Jeremiah 31:15-20

International Children’s Bible

“A sound was heard in Ramah.
    It was painful crying and much sadness.
Rachel cries for her children.
    And she cannot be comforted,
    because her children are dead!”

“Stop crying.
    Don’t let your eyes fill with tears.
You will be rewarded for your work!” says the Lord.
    “The people will come back from their enemy’s land.
¹⁷ So there is hope for you!” says the Lord.
    “Your children will come back to their own land.

¹⁸ “I have heard Israel moaning:
    ‘Lord, you punished me, and I have learned my lesson.
    I was like a calf that had never been trained.
Take me back, and I will come back.
    You truly are the Lord my God.
¹⁹ Lord, I wandered away from you.
    But I changed my heart and life.
Once I understood,
    I beat my breast with sorrow.
I am ashamed and disgraced
    because of the foolish things I did when I was young.’

²⁰ “You know that Israel is my dear son.
    I love that child.
Yes, I often speak against Israel,
    but I still remember him.
I love him very much.
    And I want to comfort him,” says the Lord.