[1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: [2] "Thus says the LORD,
the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.
[3] For behold, days are coming, says the LORD, when I will restore the
fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the LORD, and I will bring
them back to the land which I gave to their fathers, and they shall take
possession of it." [4] These are the words which the LORD spoke concerning
Israel and Judah: [5] "Thus says the LORD: We have heard a cry of panic, of
terror, and no peace. [6] Ask now, and see, can a man bear a child? Why
then do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor?
Why has every face turned pale? [7] Alas! that day is so great there is
none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob; yet he shall be saved out
of it. [8] "And it shall come to pass in that day, says the LORD of hosts,
that I will break the yoke from off their neck, and I will burst their
bonds, and strangers shall no more make servants of them. [9] But they
shall serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up
for them. [10] "Then fear not, O Jacob my servant, says the LORD, nor be
dismayed, O Israel; for lo, I will save you from afar, and your offspring
from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and
ease, and none shall make him afraid. [11] For I am with you to save you,
says the LORD; I will make a full end of all the nations among whom I
scattered you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will chasten you in
just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished. [12] "For thus
says the LORD: Your hurt is incurable, and your wound is grievous. [13]
There is none to uphold your cause, no medicine for your wound, no healing
for you. [14] All your lovers have forgotten you; they care nothing for
you; for I have dealt you the blow of an enemy, the punishment of a
merciless foe, because your guilt is great, because your sins are flagrant.
[15] Why do you cry out over your hurt? Your pain is incurable. Because
your guilt is great, because your sins are flagrant, I have done these
things to you. [16] Therefore all who devour you shall be devoured, and all
your foes, every one of them, shall go into captivity; those who despoil
you shall become a spoil, and all who prey on you I will make a prey. [17]
For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, says the
LORD, because they have called you an outcast: `It is Zion, for whom no one
cares!' [18] "Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will restore the fortunes of
the tents of Jacob, and have compassion on his dwellings; the city shall be
rebuilt upon its mound, and the palace shall stand where it used to be.
[19] Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving, and the voices of those
who make merry. I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will
make them honored, and they shall not be small. [20] Their children shall
be as they were of old, and their congregation shall be established before
me; and I will punish all who oppress them. [21] Their prince shall be one
of themselves, their ruler shall come forth from their midst; I will make
him draw near, and he shall approach me, for who would dare of himself to
approach me? says the LORD. [22] And you shall be my people, and I will be
your God." [23] Behold the storm of the LORD! Wrath has gone forth, a
whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. [24] The
fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has executed and
accomplished the intents of his mind. In the latter days you will
understand this.