The Lord Will Rescue Israel and Judah
1-2The Lord God of Israel said, “Jeremiah, get a scroll and write down everything I have told you. 3Someday I will let my people from both Israel and Judah return to the land I gave their ancestors.”
4-5Then the Lord told me to say to Israel and Judah:
Screams of terror are heard,
with no word of peace.
6Can men give birth?
Then why do I see them
looking so pale
and clutching their stomachs
like women in labor?
7My people, soon you will suffer
worse than ever before,
but I will save you.
8Now you are slaves
of other nations,
but I will break the chains
and smash the yokes
that keep you in slavery.
9Then you will be my servants,
and I will choose a king for you
from the family of David.
* 10 Israel, you belong to me,
so don't be afraid.
You deserved to be punished;
that's why I scattered you
in distant nations.
But I am with you,
and someday I will destroy
those nations.
11Then I will bring you
and your descendants
back to your land,
where I will protect you
and give you peace.
Then your fears will be gone.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
The Lord Will Heal Israel and Judah
12The Lord said:
My people, you are wounded
and near death.
13You are accused of a crime
with no one to defend you,
and you are covered with sores
that no medicine can cure.
* 14Your friends have forgotten you;
they don't care anymore.
Even I have acted like an enemy.
And because your sins
are horrible and countless,
I will be cruel
as I punish you.
15So don't bother to cry out
for relief from your pain.
16But if your enemies try to rob
or destroy you,
I will rob and destroy them,
and they will be led as captives
to foreign lands.
17No one wants you as a friend
or cares what happens to you.
But I will heal your injuries,
and you will get well.
The Lord Will Rescue Israel and Judah
18The Lord said:
Israel, I will be kind to you
and let you come home.
Jerusalem now lies in ruins,
but you will rebuild it,
complete with a new palace.
19Other nations will respect
and honor you.
Your homes will be filled
with children,
and you will celebrate,
singing praises to me.
20It will be just like old times.
Your nation will worship me,
and I will punish anyone
who abuses you.
21One of your own people
will become your ruler.
And when I invite him
to come near me
at the place of worship,
he will do so.
No one would dare to come near
without being invited.
22You will be my people,
and I will be your God.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
23I am furious!
And like a violent storm
I will strike those
who do wrong.
24I won't calm down
until I have finished
what I have decided to do.
Someday, you will understand
what I mean.