23
The LORD of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, proclaims: When I bring my people back from captivity, they will once again utter these words in the land and towns of Judah: The LORD bless you, righteous dwelling place, holy mountain.
24
Those who live in Judah and its towns will dwell together with farmers and shepherds.
25
I will strengthen the weary and renew those who are weak.
26
Then I woke up and looked around. What a pleasant sleep I had!
27
The time is coming, declares the LORD, when I will plant seeds in Israel and Judah, and both people and animals will spring up.
28
Just as I watched over them to dig up and pull down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring harm, so I will watch over them to build and plant, declares the LORD.
29
In those days, people will no longer say: Sour grapes eaten by parents leave a bitter taste in the mouths of their children.
30
Because everyone will die for their own sins: whoever eats sour grapes will have a bitter taste in their own mouths.
31
The time is coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah.
32
It won't be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant with me even though I was their husband, declares the LORD.
33
No, this is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the LORD. I will put my Instructions within them and engrave them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.