18. The people of Israel moanand say to me,“We were like wild bulls,but you, Lord, broke us,and we learnt to obey.You are our God—please let us come home.
19. When we were young,we strayed and sinned,but then we realizedwhat we had done.We are ashamed and disgracedand want to return to you.”
20. People of Israel,you are my own dear children.Don't I love you best of all?Though I often make threats,I want you to be near me,so I will have mercy on you.I, the Lord, have spoken.
21. With rock piles and signposts,mark the way home,my dear people.It is the same roadby which you left.
22. Will you ever decideto be faithful?I will make sure that some daythings will be different,as different as a womanprotecting a man.
23. The Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, said:I promise to set the people of Judah free and to lead them back to their home towns. And when I do, they will once again say,“We pray that the Lordwill bless his home,the sacred hill in Jerusalemwhere his temple stands.”
24. The people will live in Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah. Some will be farmers, and others will be shepherds.
25. Those who feel tired and worn out will find new life and energy,
26. and when they sleep, they will wake up refreshed.
27. Some day, Israel and Judah will be my field where my people and their livestock will grow.
28. In the past, I took care to uproot them, to tear them down, and to destroy them. But when that day comes, I will take care to plant them and help them grow.
29. No longer will anyone go around saying,“Sour grapes eaten by parentsleave a sour taste in the mouthsof their children.”