Jeremiah 31:15-22

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!”