Jeremiah 31:15-20

New Century Version

“A voice was heard in Ramah
    of painful crying and deep sadness:
Rachel crying for her children.
    She refused to 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 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.

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 so that I may come back.
    You truly are the Lord my God.
¹⁹ Lord, after I wandered away from you,
    I changed my heart and life.
After I understood,
    I beat my breast with sorrow.
I was ashamed and disgraced,
    because I suffered for the foolish things I did when I was young.’

²⁰ “You know that Israel is my dear son,
    The child I love.
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.