Dual PanelPromises of restoration for the people
1THE word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD.
2These are the words of the LORD the God of Israel: Write on a scroll all that I have said to you.
3The time is coming when I shall restore the fortunes of my people, both Israel and Judah, says the LORD, and bring them back to take possession of the land which I gave to their ancestors.
4This is what the LORD has said to Israel and Judah.
5These are the words of the LORD: We have heard a cry of terror, of fear without relief.
6Enquire and see: can a man bear a child? Why then do I see every man gripping his sides like a woman in labour? Why has every face turned deadly pale?
7How awful is that day: when has there been its like? A time of anguish for Jacob, yet he will come through it safely.
8On that day, says the LORD of Hosts, I shall break their yoke off their necks and snap their cords; foreigners will no longer reduce them to servitude;
9they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I shall raise up for them.
10But do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; Israel, do not despair, says the LORD. For I shall bring you back safe from afar, and your posterity from the land where they are captives. Jacob will be at rest once more, secure and untroubled.
11For I am with you to save you, says the LORD. I shall make an end of all the nations among whom I have dispersed you, but I shall not make an end of you. I shall discipline you only as you deserve, I shall not leave you wholly unpunished.
12For these are the words of the LORD to Zion: Your wound is past healing; the blow you suffered was cruel.
13There can be no remedy for your sore; the new skin cannot grow.
14All your friends have forgotten you; they look for you no longer. I have struck you down as an enemy strikes, and have punished you cruelly, because of your great wickedness, your flagrant sins.
15Why complain of your injury, that your sore cannot be healed? Because of your great wickedness, your flagrant sins, I have done this to you.
16Yet all who devoured you will themselves be devoured; all your oppressors will go into captivity; those who plunder you will be plundered, and those who despoil you I shall give up to be spoiled.
17I shall cause the new skin to grow and heal your wounds, says the LORD, although you are called outcast, Zion, forsaken by all.
18These are the words of the LORD: I shall restore the fortunes of Jacob's clans and show my love for his dwellings. Every city will be rebuilt on its own mound, every mansion will occupy its traditional site.
19From them praise will be heard and sounds of merrymaking. I shall increase them, they will not diminish; I shall raise them to honour, no longer to be despised.
20Their children will be what once they were, and their community will be established in my sight. I shall punish all their oppressors.
21A ruler will appear, one of themselves; a governor will arise from their own number. I shall myself bring him near and let him approach me, for who dare risk his life by approaching me? says the LORD.
22So you will be my people, and I shall be your God.
23See what a scorching wind has gone out from the LORD, a sweeping whirlwind which whirls round the heads of the wicked.
24The LORD's fierce anger is not to be turned aside until he has fully accomplished his purposes. In days to come you will understand.