Therefore, I am going to persuade her, lead her to the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.

“后来我必劝导她，领她到旷野，对她说安慰的话。

因此，看哪，我要诱导她，领她到旷野，我要说动她的心。

因此，看哪，我要诱导她，领她到旷野，我要说动她的心。

“然而，我要挽回她，领她到旷野，柔声安慰她。

“因此，我要诱导她，领她到旷野，对她说安慰的话。

後來我必勸導她，領她到曠野，對她說安慰的話。

因此，看哪，我要誘導她，領她到曠野，我要說動她的心。

因此，看哪，我要誘導她，領她到曠野，我要說動她的心。

「然而，我要挽回她，領她到曠野，柔聲安慰她。

“因此，我要誘導她，領她到曠野，對她說安慰的話。

『因此你看吧、是我要誘導她，領她到野地，和她談心。

我將誘掖之、導之於野、以善言慰之、

厥後我勸迪斯民、導之於野、以善言慰藉、

雖然、厥後我仍勸誘之、導之於野、以善言慰藉其心、

“ Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.

“ So now I am going to draw her back to me. I will lead her into the desert. There I will speak tenderly to her.

“ Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.

“ But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.

“ Therefore, behold, I am going to persuade her, Bring her into the wilderness, And speak kindly to her.

“ Therefore, behold, I will allure her, Will bring her into the wilderness, And speak comfort to her.

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.

Therefore, I am going to persuade her, lead her to the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.

However, in the future I will allure her; I will lead her back into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.

“ Therefore behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.

The woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, to be nourished there for 1,260 days.

“ Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.“ Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and announce to her that her time of hard service is over, her iniquity has been pardoned, and she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.”

I will lead you into the wilderness of the peoples and enter into judgment with you there face to face.Just as I entered into judgment with your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.

The woman was given two wings of a great eagle, so that she could fly from the serpent’s presence to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, times, and half a time.

Otherwise, I will strip her naked and expose her as she was on the day of her birth. I will make her like a desert and like a parched land, and I will let her die of thirst.

Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that is your possession. They live alone in a woodland surrounded by pastures. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead as in ancient times.I will perform miracles for them as in the days of your exodus from the land of Egypt.Nations will see and be ashamed of all their power. They will put their hands over their mouths, and their ears will become deaf.They will lick the dust like a snake; they will come trembling out of their hiding places like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will tremble in the presence of the LORD our God; they will stand in awe of you.Who is a God like you, forgiving iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not hold on to his anger forever because he delights in faithful love.He will again have compassion on us; he will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.You will show loyalty to Jacob and faithful love to Abraham, as you swore to our ancestors from days long ago.

As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.”

And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.And this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.

“ However, look, the days are coming”— the LORD’s declaration—“ when it will no longer be said,‘ As the LORD lives who brought the Israelites from the land of Egypt,’

Strengthen the weak hands, steady the shaking knees!Say to the cowardly:“ Be strong; do not fear! Here is your God; vengeance is coming. God’s retribution is coming; he will save you.”

Take me with you— let’s hurry. Oh, that the king would bring me to his chambers. We will rejoice and be glad in you; we will celebrate your caresses more than wine. It is only right that they adore you.

The LORD of Armies says this:“ The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth will become times of joy, gladness, and cheerful festivals for the house of Judah. Therefore, love truth and peace.”The LORD of Armies says this:“ Peoples will yet come, the residents of many cities;the residents of one city will go to another, saying: Let’s go at once to plead for the LORD’s favor and to seek the LORD of Armies. I am also going.Many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Armies in Jerusalem and to plead for the LORD’s favor.”The LORD of Armies says this:“ In those days, ten men from nations of every language will grab the robe of a Jewish man tightly, urging: Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

“ Now therefore, this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to this city about which you said,‘ It has been handed over to Babylon’s king through sword, famine, and plague’:I will certainly gather them from all the lands where I have banished them in my anger, fury, and intense wrath, and I will return them to this place and make them live in safety.They will be my people, and I will be their God.I will give them integrity of heart and action so that they will fear me always, for their good and for the good of their descendants after them.“ I will make a permanent covenant with them: I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put fear of me in their hearts so they will never again turn away from me.I will take delight in them to do what is good for them, and with all my heart and mind I will faithfully plant them in this land.

Go, proclaim these words to the north, and say,‘ Return, unfaithful Israel. This is the LORD’s declaration. I will not look on you with anger, for I am unfailing in my love. This is the LORD’s declaration. I will not be angry forever.Only acknowledge your guilt— you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to strangers under every green tree and have not obeyed me. This is the LORD’s declaration.“‘ Return, you faithless children— this is the LORD’s declaration— for I am your master, and I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.I will give you shepherds who are loyal to me, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill.When you multiply and increase in the land, in those days— this is the LORD’s declaration— no one will say again,“ The ark of the LORD’s covenant.” It will never come to mind, and no one will remember or miss it. Another one will not be made.At that time Jerusalem will be called The LORD’s Throne, and all the nations will be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD in Jerusalem. They will cease to follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.In those days the house of Judah will join with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land I have given your ancestors to inherit.’”I thought,“ How I long to make you my sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of all the nations.” I thought,“ You will call me‘ My Father’ and never turn away from me.”However, as a woman may betray her lover, so you have betrayed me, house of Israel. This is the LORD’s declaration.A sound is heard on the barren heights: the children of Israel weeping and begging for mercy, for they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the LORD their God.Return, you faithless children. I will heal your unfaithfulness.“ Here we are, coming to you, for you are the LORD our God.Surely, falsehood comes from the hills, commotion from the mountains, but the salvation of Israel is only in the LORD our God.From the time of our youth the shameful one has consumed what our ancestors have worked for— their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.

“ Go and announce directly to Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: I remember the loyalty of your youth, your love as a bride— how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

Yet I will certainly bring health and healing to it and will indeed heal them. I will let them experience the abundance of true peace.I will restore the fortunes of Judah and of Israel and will rebuild them as in former times.I will purify them from all the iniquity they have committed against me, and I will forgive all the iniquities they have committed against me, rebelling against me.This city will bear on my behalf a name of joy, praise, and glory before all the nations of the earth, who will hear of all the prosperity I will give them. They will tremble with awe because of all the good and all the peace I will bring about for them.“ This is what the LORD says: In this place, which you say is a ruin, without people or animals— that is, in Judah’s cities and Jerusalem’s streets that are a desolation without people, without inhabitants, and without animals— there will be heard againa sound of joy and gladness, the voice of the groom and the bride, and the voice of those saying, Give thanks to the LORD of Armies, for the LORD is good; his faithful love endures forever as they bring thanksgiving sacrifices to the temple of the LORD. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as in former times, says the LORD.“ This is what the LORD of Armies says: In this desolate place— without people or animals — and in all its cities there will once more be a grazing land where shepherds may rest flocks.The flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who counts them in the cities of the hill country, the cities of the Judean foothills, the cities of the Negev, the land of Benjamin— the areas around Jerusalem and in Judah’s cities, says the LORD.“ Look, the days are coming”— this is the LORD’s declaration—“ when I will fulfill the good promise that I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah.In those days and at that time I will cause a Righteous Branch to sprout up for David, and he will administer justice and righteousness in the land.In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely, and this is what she will be named: The LORD Is Our Righteousness.“ For this is what the LORD says: David will never fail to have a man sitting on the throne of the house of Israel.The Levitical priests will never fail to have a man always before me to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices.”The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:“ This is what the LORD says: If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night so that day and night cease to come at their regular time,then also my covenant with my servant David may be broken. If that could happen, then he would not have a son reigning on his throne and the Levitical priests would not be my ministers.Even as the stars of heaven cannot be counted, and the sand of the sea cannot be measured, so too I will make innumerable the descendants of my servant David and the Levites who minister to me.”The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:“ Have you not noticed what these people have said? They say,‘ The LORD has rejected the two families he had chosen.’ My people are treated with contempt and no longer regarded as a nation among them.This is what the LORD says: If I do not keep my covenant with the day and with the night, and if I fail to establish the fixed order of heaven and earth,then I might also reject the descendants of Jacob and of my servant David. That is, I would not take rulers from his descendants to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But in fact, I will restore their fortunes and have compassion on them.”

Then her husband got up and followed her to speak kindly to her and bring her back. He had his servant with him and a pair of donkeys. So she brought him to her father’s house, and when the girl’s father saw him, he gladly welcomed him.

Then the angel of the LORD responded,“ How long, LORD of Armies, will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah that you have been angry with these seventy years?”The LORD replied with kind and comforting words to the angel who was speaking with me.So the angel who was speaking with me said,“ Proclaim: The LORD of Armies says: I am extremely jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.I am fiercely angry with the nations that are at ease, for I was a little angry, but they made the destruction worse.Therefore, this is what the LORD says: In mercy, I have returned to Jerusalem; my house will be rebuilt within it— this is the declaration of the LORD of Armies— and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.“ Proclaim further: This is what the LORD of Armies says: My cities will again overflow with prosperity; the LORD will once more comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”

“‘ You, mountains of Israel, will produce your branches and bear your fruit for my people Israel, since their arrival is near.Look! I am on your side; I will turn toward you, and you will be tilled and sown.I will fill you with people, with the whole house of Israel in its entirety. The cities will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.I will fill you with people and animals, and they will increase and be fruitful. I will make you inhabited as you once were and make you better off than you were before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.I will cause people, my people Israel, to walk on you; they will possess you, and you will be their inheritance. You will no longer deprive them of their children.“‘ This is what the Lord GOD says: Because some are saying to you,“ You devour people and deprive your nation of children,”therefore, you will no longer devour people and deprive your nation of children. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.I will no longer allow the insults of the nations to be heard against you, and you will not have to endure the reproach of the peoples anymore; you will no longer cause your nation to stumble. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.’”

“ So this is what the Lord GOD says: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have compassion on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name.They will feel remorse for their disgrace and all the unfaithfulness they committed against me, when they live securely in their land with no one to frighten them.When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the countries of their enemies, I will demonstrate my holiness through them in the sight of many nations.They will know that I am the LORD their God when I regather them to their own land after having exiled them among the nations. I will leave none of them behind.I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

“ At that time”— this is the LORD’s declaration—“ I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.”This is what the LORD says: The people who survived the sword found favor in the wilderness. When Israel went to find rest,the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.Again I will build you so that you will be rebuilt, Virgin Israel. You will take up your tambourines again and go out in joyful dancing.You will plant vineyards again on the mountains of Samaria; the planters will plant and will enjoy the fruit.For there will be a day when watchmen will call out in the hill country of Ephraim,“ Come, let’s go up to Zion, to the LORD our God!”For this is what the LORD says: Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations! Proclaim, praise, and say,“ LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel!”Watch! I am going to bring them from the northern land. I will gather them from remote regions of the earth— the blind and the lame will be with them, along with those who are pregnant and those about to give birth. They will return here as a great assembly!They will come weeping, but I will bring them back with consolation. I will lead them to wadis filled with water, by a smooth way where they will not stumble, for I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is my firstborn.Nations, hear the word of the LORD, and tell it among the far off coasts and islands! Say,“ The one who scattered Israel will gather him. He will watch over him as a shepherd guards his flock,for the LORD has ransomed Jacob and redeemed him from the power of one stronger than he.”They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant with joy because of the LORD’s goodness, because of the grain, the new wine, the fresh oil, and because of the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like an irrigated garden, and they will no longer grow weak from hunger.Then the young women will rejoice with dancing, while young and old men rejoice together. I will turn their mourning into joy, give them consolation, and bring happiness out of grief.I will refresh the priests with an abundance, and my people will be satisfied with my goodness. This is the LORD’s declaration.This is what the LORD says: A voice was heard in Ramah, a lament with bitter weeping— Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children because they are no more.This is what the LORD says: Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for the reward for your work will come— this is the LORD’s declaration— and your children will return from the enemy’s land.There is hope for your future— this is the LORD’s declaration— and your children will return to their own territory.I have surely heard Ephraim moaning,“ You disciplined me, and I have been disciplined like an untrained calf. Take me back, so that I can return, for you, LORD, are my God.After my return, I felt regret; After I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.”Isn’t Ephraim a precious son to me, a delightful child? Whenever I speak against him, I certainly still think about him. Therefore, my inner being yearns for him; I will truly have compassion on him. This is the LORD’s declaration.Set up road markers for yourself; establish signposts! Keep the highway in mind, the way you have traveled. Return, Virgin Israel! Return to these cities of yours.How long will you turn here and there, faithless daughter? For the LORD creates something new in the land— a female will shelter a man.This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says:“ When I restore their fortunes, they will once again speak this word in the land of Judah and in its cities:‘ May the LORD bless you, righteous settlement, holy mountain.’Judah and all its cities will live in it together— also farmers and those who move with the flocks—for I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak.”At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been most pleasant to me.“ Look, the days are coming”— this is the LORD’s declaration—“ when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of people and the seed of animals.Just as I watched over them to uproot and to tear them down, to demolish and to destroy, and to cause disaster, so will I watch over them to build and to plant them”— this is the LORD’s declaration.“ In those days, it will never again be said,‘ The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’Rather, each will die for his own iniquity. Anyone who eats sour grapes— his own teeth will be set on edge.“ Look, the days are coming”— this is the LORD’s declaration—“ when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt— my covenant that they broke even though I am their master”— the LORD’s declaration.“ Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”— the LORD’s declaration.“ I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying,‘ Know the LORD,’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them”— this is the LORD’s declaration.“ For I will forgive their iniquity and never again remember their sin.“ This is what the LORD says: The one who gives the sun for light by day, the fixed order of moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea and makes its waves roar— the LORD of Armies is his name:If this fixed order departs from before me— this is the LORD’s declaration— only then will Israel’s descendants cease to be a nation before me forever.“ This is what the LORD says: Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below explored, will I reject all of Israel’s descendants because of all they have done— this is the LORD’s declaration.

Therefore the LORD is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy.

In that day I will restore the fallen shelter of David: I will repair its gaps, restore its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old,so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name— this is the declaration of the LORD; he will do this.Look, the days are coming— this is the LORD’s declaration— when the plowman will overtake the reaper and the one who treads grapes, the sower of seed. The mountains will drip with sweet wine, and all the hills will flow with it.I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel. They will rebuild and occupy ruined cities, plant vineyards and drink their wine, make gardens and eat their produce.I will plant them on their land, and they will never again be uprooted from the land I have given them. The LORD your God has spoken.

For the LORD will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song.Pay attention to me, my people, and listen to me, my nation; for instruction will come from me, and my justice for a light to the nations. I will bring it about quickly.My righteousness is near, my salvation appears, and my arms will bring justice to the nations. The coasts and islands will put their hope in me, and they will look to my strength.Look up to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants will die like gnats. But my salvation will last forever, and my righteousness will never be shattered.Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my instruction: do not fear disgrace by men, and do not be shattered by their taunts.For moths will devour them like a garment, and worms will eat them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, and my salvation for all generations.Wake up, wake up! Arm of the LORD, clothe yourself with strength. Wake up as in days past, as in generations long ago. Wasn’t it you who hacked Rahab to pieces, who pierced the sea monster?Wasn’t it you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made the sea-bed into a road for the redeemed to pass over?And the ransomed of the LORD will return and come to Zion with singing, crowned with unending joy. Joy and gladness will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.I— I am the one who comforts you. Who are you that you should fear humans who die, or a son of man who is given up like grass?But you have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. You are in constant dread all day long because of the fury of the oppressor, who has set himself to destroy. But where is the fury of the oppressor?The prisoner is soon to be set free; he will not die and go to the Pit, and his food will not be lacking.For I am the LORD your God who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— his name is the LORD of Armies.I have put my words in your mouth, and covered you in the shadow of my hand, in order to plant the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion,“ You are my people.”Wake yourself, wake yourself up! Stand up, Jerusalem, you who have drunk the cup of his fury from the LORD’s hand; you who have drunk the goblet to the dregs— the cup that causes people to stagger.There is no one to guide her among all the children she has raised; there is no one to take hold of her hand among all the offspring she has brought up.These two things have happened to you: devastation and destruction, famine and sword. Who will grieve for you? How can I comfort you?Your children have fainted; they lie at the head of every street like an antelope in a net. They are full of the LORD’s fury, the rebuke of your God.So listen to this, suffering and drunken one— but not with wine.This is what your Lord says— the LORD, even your God, who defends his people—“ Look, I have removed from your hand the cup that causes staggering; that goblet, the cup of my fury. You will never drink it again.I will put it into the hands of your tormentors, who said to you,‘ Lie down, so we can walk over you.’ You made your back like the ground, and like a street for those who walk on it.

I will save my flock. They will no longer be prey, and I will judge between one sheep and another.I will establish over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will shepherd them. He will tend them himself and will be their shepherd.I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among them. I, the LORD, have spoken.“‘ I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate dangerous creatures from the land, so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the forest.I will make them and the area around my hill a blessing: I will send down showers in their season; they will be showers of blessing.The trees of the field will yield their fruit, and the land will yield its produce; my flock will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the LORD when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the power of those who enslave them.They will no longer be prey for the nations, and the wild creatures of the earth will not consume them. They will live securely, and no one will frighten them.I will establish for them a place renowned for its agriculture, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land. They will no longer endure the insults of the nations.Then they will know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.You are my flock, the human flock of my pasture, and I am your God. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.’”

He became infatuated with Jacob’s daughter Dinah. He loved the young girl and spoke tenderly to her.

Then he said to me,“ Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look how they say,‘ Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.’Therefore, prophesy and say to them,‘ This is what the Lord GOD says: I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them, my people, and lead you into the land of Israel.You will know that I am the LORD, my people, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I am the LORD. I have spoken, and I will do it. This is the declaration of the LORD.’”The word of the LORD came to me:“ Son of man, take a single stick and write on it: Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him. Then take another stick and write on it: Belonging to Joseph— the stick of Ephraim— and all the house of Israel associated with him.Then join them together into a single stick so that they become one in your hand.When your people ask you,‘ Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these things?’—tell them,‘ This is what the Lord GOD says: I am going to take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel associated with him, and put them together with the stick of Judah. I will make them into a single stick so that they become one in my hand.’“ When the sticks you have written on are in your hand and in full view of the people,tell them,‘ This is what the Lord GOD says: I am going to take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them into their own land.I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and one king will rule over all of them. They will no longer be two nations and will no longer be divided into two kingdoms.They will not defile themselves anymore with their idols, their abhorrent things, and all their transgressions. I will save them from all their apostasies by which they sinned, and I will cleanse them. Then they will be my people, and I will be their God.My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow my ordinances, and keep my statutes and obey them.“‘ They will live in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your ancestors lived. They will live in it forever with their children and grandchildren, and my servant David will be their prince forever.I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be a permanent covenant with them. I will establish and multiply them and will set my sanctuary among them forever.My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.When my sanctuary is among them forever, the nations will know that I, the LORD, sanctify Israel.’”

For I will then restore pure speech to the peoples so that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him with a single purpose.From beyond the rivers of Cush my supplicants, my dispersed people, will bring an offering to me.On that day you will not be put to shame because of everything you have done in rebelling against me. For then I will remove from among you your jubilant, arrogant people, and you will never again be haughty on my holy mountain.I will leave a meek and humble people among you, and they will take refuge in the name of the LORD.The remnant of Israel will no longer do wrong or tell lies; a deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths. They will pasture and lie down, with nothing to make them afraid.Sing for joy, Daughter Zion; shout loudly, Israel! Be glad and celebrate with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!The LORD has removed your punishment; he has turned back your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is among you; you need no longer fear harm.On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:“ Do not fear; Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.”I will gather those who have been driven from the appointed festivals; they will be a tribute from you and a reproach on her.Yes, at that time I will deal with all who oppress you. I will save the lame and gather the outcasts; I will make those who were disgraced throughout the earth receive praise and fame.At that time I will bring you back, yes, at the time I will gather you. I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes. The LORD has spoken.

This is what the LORD says: I will certainly restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and show compassion on his dwellings. Every city will be rebuilt on its mound; every citadel will stand on its proper site.Thanksgiving will come out of them, a sound of rejoicing. I will multiply them, and they will not decrease; I will honor them, and they will not be insignificant.His children will be as in past days; his congregation will be established in my presence. I will punish all his oppressors.Jacob’s leader will be one of them; his ruler will issue from him. I will invite him to me, and he will approach me, for who would otherwise risk his life to approach me? This is the LORD’s declaration.You will be my people, and I will be your God.

Shout for joy, you heavens! Earth, rejoice! Mountains break into joyful shouts! For the LORD has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.Zion says,“ The LORD has abandoned me; the Lord has forgotten me!”“ Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you.Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.Your builders hurry; those who destroy and devastate you will leave you.Look up, and look around. They all gather together; they come to you. As I live”— this is the LORD’s declaration—“ you will wear all your children as jewelry, and put them on as a bride does.For your waste and desolate places and your land marked by ruins will now be indeed too small for the inhabitants, and those who swallowed you up will be far away.Yet as you listen, the children that you have been deprived of will say,‘ This place is too small for me; make room for me so that I may settle.’Then you will say within yourself,‘ Who fathered these for me? I was deprived of my children and unable to conceive, exiled and wandering— but who brought them up? See, I was left by myself— but these, where did they come from?’”This is what the Lord GOD says: Look, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and raise my banner to the peoples. They will bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.Kings will be your guardians and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down to you with their faces to the ground and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who put their hope in me will not be put to shame.Can the prey be taken from a mighty man, or the captives of a tyrant be delivered?For this is what the LORD says:“ Even the captives of a mighty man will be taken, and the prey of a tyrant will be delivered; I will contend with the one who contends with you, and I will save your children.I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, and they will be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine. Then all humanity will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

“‘ So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.