Jeremiah 31:1-19

Jeremiah 31:1-19

[1] At the same time,  saith  the LORD,  will I be the God  of all the families  of Israel,  and they shall be my people.  [2] Thus saith  the LORD,  The people  which were left  of the sword  found  grace  in the wilderness;  even Israel,  when I went  to cause him to rest.  [3] The LORD  hath appeared  of old  unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved  thee with an everlasting  love:  therefore with lovingkindness  have I drawn  thee. [4] Again I will build  O virgin  of Israel:  thou shalt again be adorned  with thy tabrets,  and shalt go forth  in the dances  of them that make merry.  [5] Thou shalt yet plant  vines  upon the mountains  of Samaria:  the planters  and shall eat them as common things.  [6] For there shall be  a day,  that the watchmen  upon the mount  Ephraim  shall cry,  Arise  ye, and let us go up  to Zion  unto the LORD  our God.  [7] For thus saith  the LORD;  Sing  with gladness  for Jacob,  and shout  among the chief  of the nations:  publish  ye, praise  ye, and say,  O LORD,  save  thy people,  the remnant  of Israel.  [8] Behold, I will bring  them from the north  country,  and gather  them from the coasts  of the earth,  and with them the blind  and the lame,  the woman with child  and her that travaileth with child  together:  a great  company  shall return  thither. [9] They shall come  with weeping,  and with supplications  will I lead  by the rivers  of waters  in a straight  way,  wherein they shall not stumble:  for I am a father  to Israel,  and Ephraim  is my firstborn.  [10] Hear  the word  of the LORD,  O ye nations,  and declare  it in the isles  afar off,  and say,  He that scattered  Israel  will gather  him, and keep  him, as a shepherd  doth his flock.  [11] For the LORD  hath redeemed  Jacob,  and ransomed  him from the hand  of him that was stronger  [12] Therefore they shall come  and sing  in the height  of Zion,  and shall flow together  to the goodness  of the LORD,  for wheat,  and for wine,  and for oil,  and for the young  of the flock  and of the herd:  and their soul  shall be as a watered  garden;  and they shall not sorrow  any more  [13] Then shall the virgin  rejoice  in the dance,  both young men  and old  together:  for I will turn  their mourning  into joy,  and will comfort  them, and make them rejoice  from their sorrow.  [14] And I will satiate  the soul  of the priests  with fatness,  and my people  shall be satisfied  with my goodness,  saith  the LORD.  [15] Thus saith  the LORD;  A voice  was heard  in Ramah,  lamentation,  and bitter  weeping;  Rahel  weeping  for her children  refused  to be comforted  for her children,  because they were not. [16] Thus saith  the LORD;  Refrain  thy voice  from weeping,  and thine eyes  from tears:  for thy work  shall be  rewarded,  saith  the LORD;  and they shall come again  from the land  of the enemy.  [17] And there is  hope  in thine end,  saith  the LORD,  that thy children  shall come again  to their own border.  [18] I have surely  Ephraim  bemoaning  himself thus; Thou hast chastised  as a bullock  unaccustomed  to the yoke: turn  for thou art the LORD  my God.  [19] Surely after  that I was turned,  I repented;  and after  that I was instructed,  I smote  upon my thigh:  I was ashamed,  yea, even confounded,  because I did bear  the reproach  of my youth.