This is what the Lord says:

“Sing(A) with joy for Jacob;
    shout for the foremost(B) of the nations.
Make your praises heard, and say,
    Lord, save(C) your people,
    the remnant(D) of Israel.’
See, I will bring them from the land of the north(E)
    and gather(F) them from the ends of the earth.
Among them will be the blind(G) and the lame,(H)
    expectant mothers and women in labor;
    a great throng will return.
They will come with weeping;(I)
    they will pray as I bring them back.
I will lead(J) them beside streams of water(K)
    on a level(L) path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father,(M)
    and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

10 “Hear the word of the Lord, you nations;
    proclaim it in distant coastlands:(N)
‘He who scattered(O) Israel will gather(P) them
    and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’(Q)
11 For the Lord will deliver Jacob
    and redeem(R) them from the hand of those stronger(S) than they.
12 They will come and shout for joy(T) on the heights(U) of Zion;
    they will rejoice in the bounty(V) of the Lord
the grain, the new wine and the olive oil,(W)
    the young of the flocks(X) and herds.
They will be like a well-watered garden,(Y)
    and they will sorrow(Z) no more.
13 Then young women will dance and be glad,
    young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning(AA) into gladness;
    I will give them comfort(AB) and joy(AC) instead of sorrow.
14 I will satisfy(AD) the priests(AE) with abundance,
    and my people will be filled with my bounty,(AF)
declares the Lord.

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The Lord proclaims:
Sing joyfully for the people of Jacob;
    shout for the leading nation.
Raise your voices with praise and call out:
    “The Lord has saved his people,[a]
    the remaining few in Israel!”

I’m going to bring them back from the north;
    I will gather them from the ends of the earth.
Among them will be the blind and the disabled,
    expectant mothers and those in labor;
        a great throng will return here.
With tears of joy they will come;
    while they pray, I will bring them back.
I will lead them by quiet streams
    and on smooth paths so they don’t stumble.
I will be Israel’s father,
    Ephraim will be my oldest child.

10 Listen to the Lord’s word, you nations,
    and announce it to the distant islands:
The one who scattered Israel will gather them
    and keep them safe, as a shepherd his flock.
11 The Lord will rescue the people of Jacob
    and deliver them from the power of those stronger than they are.
12 They will come shouting for joy on the hills of Zion,
    jubilant over the Lord’s gifts:
        grain, wine, oil, flocks, and herds.
Their lives will be like a lush garden;
    they will grieve no more.
13 Then the young women will dance for joy;
    the young and old men will join in.
I will turn their mourning into laughter
    and their sadness into joy;
        I will comfort them.
14 I will lavish the priests with abundance
    and shower my people with my gifts,
        declares the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 31:7 LXX; MT Save your people, Lord