Jeremiah 31:7-26

For YAHWEH says: “Sing with joyous delight for Israel! Yes, shout out praise for the foremost of the nations. ‘YAHWEH, save your people, the remnant of Israel. Proclaim the news! Praise him! Shout it out!’ Watch, as I bring them back from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Even the blind and the lame will be among them. Expectant mothers, women about to give birth, will come and be a part of that great homecoming. They will return praying with tears as I lead them home. I will guide them to streams of water, by a smooth path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son. “Listen, nations, to the word of YAHWEH. Proclaim it on the distant coastlands, saying, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him. Like a shepherd guards his flock, YAHWEH watches over his people.’ For YAHWEH has ransomed the people of Israel and rescued them from an enemy stronger than themselves. They will come, singing for joy on the heights of Zion, and the goodness of YAHWEH will make them radiant. YAHWEH will bless them with grain, new wine, olive oil, flocks, and herds. They will be prosperous and grow like a well-watered garden, with no reason to be discouraged. The young girls, the young men, and the elderly will dance and celebrate together. I will turn their sad memories into gladness. I will give them joy after all their trouble and will be their comfort.” YAHWEH says, “I will refresh the desire of my priests with abundance and lavish gifts on my people until they are more than satisfied.” YAHWEH says, “In Ramah voices are crying; it is the sound of wailing and bitter weeping. Rachel is mourning for her children, and she refuses to let anyone comfort her over her loss, because her children are no more.” YAHWEH says, “Stop weeping and wipe away your tears! For I will reward you for raising your children,” declares YAHWEH, “and they will return from the land of their enemies. There is a door of hope for your future after all, your children will return to their homeland,” declares YAHWEH. “I have heard it! The people of Israel moaning, ‘You disciplined us like young, untamed bulls, but you broke us, and we’ve learned to obey. Bring us back, YAHWEH; let us come home, for you are our God. Although we turned away, we have repented. You made us aware of our guilt, and we hung our heads, for we were deeply ashamed and humiliated, and we bear the disgrace of our youth.’ ” YAHWEH replies, “Ephraim, you are still my child no matter what you’ve done; you are still my beloved children, my very precious children. Even though I rebuke you, my thoughts are filled with love. That is why I am so deeply moved with compassion, for I long for you and have mercy in my heart for you,” declares YAHWEH. “Set up your signposts and road markers to find your way home. Take note of the pathway, and remember the road by which you went. Come home, my beloved Israel; return to your own cities. Faithless one, how long will you hesitate? For YAHWEH is creating something new on earth. A woman will rescue a warrior!” YAHWEH, the God of Israel, Commander of Angel Armies, says, “This blessing will once again be heard throughout Judah and its towns when I bring their captives home: “ ‘May YAHWEH bless the Holy Place where he lives, O holy mountain of Jerusalem!’ “People throughout Judah and her towns will live together in peace, both the farmers and shepherds with their flocks. For I will refresh the weary soul and satisfy all those who have given up on life.” At this, I awoke and realized that my sleep had been sweet to me.