Jeremiah 31:15-20
Expanded Bible
15 This is what the Lord says:
“A voice was heard in Ramah [C a place from which God’s people were deported into exile; 40:1; Matt. 2:18]
of ·painful crying [lamentation] and ·deep sadness [L bitter weeping]:
Rachel crying for her children [C the Israelites].
She refused to be comforted,
because her children are ·dead [L no more]!”
16 But this is what the Lord says:
“·Stop crying [L Refrain your voice from weeping];
·don’t let your eyes fill with tears [L your eyes from tears].
You will be rewarded for your work!” says the Lord.
“The people will return from their enemy’s land.
17 So there is hope for you in the future,” says the Lord.
“Your children will return to their own ·land [borders].
18 “I have heard ·Israel [L Ephraim] ·moaning [pleading]:
‘Lord, you ·punished [disciplined; instructed] me, and I ·have learned my lesson [was disciplined/instructed].
I was like a calf that had never been trained [Hos. 10:11].
Take me back so that I may come back.
You truly are the Lord my God.
19 Lord, after I ·wandered away [turned away] from you,
I ·changed my heart and life [L repented].
After I understood,
I beat my ·breast [L thigh; C showing sorrow].
I was ashamed and ·disgraced [humiliated],
because I ·suffered for the foolish things I did when I was young [L carried the reproach of my youth].’
20 “·You know that Israel is my dear son [L Do you know how precious Ephraim is to me…?],
The child I ·love [delight in].
Yes, I often speak against him [C Israel],
but I still remember him.
·I love him very much [L My innards roil/churn toward him],
and I want to ·comfort [be compassionate toward] him,” says the Lord.
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
