Jeremiah 31:1-9

¹“At that time,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be My people.”

²This is what the LORD says:

“The people who survived the sword

found favor in the wilderness

when Israel went to find rest.”

³The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;

therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.

⁴Again I will build you, and you will be rebuilt,

O Virgin Israel.

Again you will take up your tambourines

and go out in joyful dancing.

⁵Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria;

the farmers will plant and enjoy the fruit.

⁶For there will be a day when watchmen will call out

on the hills of Ephraim,

‘Arise, let us go up to Zion,

to the LORD our God!’”

⁷For this is what the LORD says:

“Sing with joy for Jacob;

shout for the foremost of the nations!

Make your praises heard, and say,

‘O LORD, save Your people,

the remnant of Israel!’

⁸Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north

and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,

including the blind and the lame,

expectant mothers and women in labor.

They will return as a great assembly!

⁹They will come with weeping,

and by their supplication I will lead them;

I will make them walk beside streams of waters,

on a level path where they will not stumble.

For I am Israel’s Father,

and Ephraim is My firstborn.”