1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2 "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Write for yourself in a book all the words I have spoken to you.
3 For see, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel and Judah, says the LORD; I will bring them back to the land I gave to their fathers, and they will take possession of it."
4 And these are the words which the LORD spoke about Israel and about Judah:
5 "For thus says the LORD: A sound of trembling we have heard, of dread, and no peace.
6 Ask, please, and see whether a male gives birth. Why then do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor, and every face turned pale?
7 Alas! For great is that day; there is none like it. It is a time of distress for Jacob, yet out of it he will be saved.
8 "It will come about on that day, declares the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from your neck and snap your bonds, and foreigners will no more enslave him.
9 But they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.
10 "And you, my servant Jacob, do not be afraid, declares the LORD, and do not lose heart, Israel; for see, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob will return and be quiet and secure, with no one to make him tremble.
11 For I am with you, declares the LORD, to save you; I will make a complete end of all the nations among which I scattered you, but with you I will not make a complete end. I will discipline you as justice requires, and I will certainly not let you go unpunished.
12 "For thus says the LORD: Your shattering is incurable; your wound is grievous.
13 No one takes up your case; for your sore there is no medicine, no new skin for you.
14 All your lovers have forgotten you; they do not look for you; for I have struck you with an enemy's blow, a cruel one's discipline, for the greatness of your iniquity, because your sins are numerous.
15 Why cry out over your shattering, your incurable pain? For the greatness of your iniquity, because your sins are numerous, I have done these things to you.
16 Yet all who devour you will be devoured, and all your foes, every one, will go into captivity; your plunderers will become plunder, and all who loot you I will give up as loot.
17 For I will bring up new flesh for you and heal you of your wounds, declares the LORD, because they have called you an outcast: 'That is Zion; no one seeks her out.'
18 "Thus says the LORD: See, I will restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be built on its mound, and the stronghold will sit where it belongs.
19 From them will come thanksgiving and the sound of people celebrating. I will multiply them, and they will not be diminished; I will make them honored, and they will not be made small.
20 His sons will be as of old, his assembly will be established before me, and I will punish all his oppressors.
21 His mighty one will be from himself, and his ruler will come out from his midst; I will bring him near, and he will draw close to me; for who would dare of himself to come near to me? declares the LORD.
22 So you will be my people, and I will be your God."
23 Look, the storm of the LORD! Wrath has gone forth, a raging storm; it will whirl onto the head of the wicked.
24 The burning anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has done and carried out the purposes of his heart. In the last days you will understand this.