4
"Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! Again you will take up your tambourines, And goforth to the dances of the merrymakers.
7
For thussays the LORD, "Singaloud with gladness for Jacob, And shout among the chief of the nations; Proclaim, givepraise and say, 'O LORD, save Your people, The remnant of Israel.'
8
"Behold, I am bringing them from the northcountry, And I will gather them from the remoteparts of the earth, Among them the blind and the lame, The woman with child and she who is in labor with child, together; A greatcompany, they will returnhere.
9
"With weeping they will come, And by supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk by streams of waters, On a straightpath in which they will not stumble; For I am a father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn."
10
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, And declare in the coastlandsafaroff, And say, "He who scatteredIsrael will gather him And keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock."
12
"They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion, And they will be radiantover the bounty of the LORD - Over the grain and the newwine and the oil, And over the young of the flock and the herd; And their life will be like a wateredgarden, And they will never*languishagain.
13
"Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance, And the youngmen and the old, together, For I will turn their mourning into joy And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.
15
Thussays the LORD, "A voice is heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitterweeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; She refuses to be comforted for her children, Because they are nomore."
16
Thussays the LORD, "Restrain your voice from weeping And your eyes from tears; For your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD, "And they will return from the land of the enemy.
18
"I have surelyheardEphraimgrieving, 'You have chastised me, and I was chastised, Like an untrained*calf; Bring me back that I may be restored, For You are the LORD my God.
19
'For after I turnedback, I repented; And after I was instructed, I smote on my thigh; I was ashamed and alsohumiliatedBecause I bore the reproach of my youth.'
20
"Is Ephraim My dearson? Is he a delightfulchild? Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still remember him; Therefore* My heartyearns for him; I will surelyhavemercy on him," declares the LORD.
21
"Set up for yourself roadmarks, Place for yourself guideposts; Direct your mind to the highway, The way by which you went. Return, O virgin of Israel, Return to these your cities.
23
Thussays the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, "Once again they will speakthisword in the land of Judah and in its cities when I restore their fortunes, 'The LORDbless you, O abode of righteousness, O holyhill!'