1 The Lord spoke his word to Jeremiah. He said,
2 “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: Write in a book everything that I tell you.
3 The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity. I will bring them back to the land that I gave their ancestors, and they will take possession of it.”
4 This is the message that the Lord spoke about Israel and Judah:
5 “This is what the Lord says:
6 Ask now, and see: Can a man give birth to a child?
7 How terrible that day will be!
8 “On that day,” declares the Lord of Armies, “I will break the yokes off your necks and tear off your ropes. Foreigners will no longer make you serve them.
9 You will serve the Lord your God and David your king. I will establish him for you.
10 “Don’t be afraid, my servant Jacob,” declares the Lord.
11 I am with you, and I will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
12 “This is what the Lord says:
13 No one argues that you should be healed.
14 All your lovers have forgotten you,
15 Why do you cry about your wound, your injury that can’t be cured?
16 That is why everyone who devours you will be devoured,
17 I’ll restore your health and heal your wounds,” declares the Lord.
18 “This is what the Lord says:
19 The people who live there will sing songs of praise,
20 Their children will be like they were long ago.
21 Their leader will be someone from their own people.
22 You will be my people, and I will be your God.
23 The storm of the Lord will come with his anger.
24 The Lord’s burning anger will not turn back