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.”
30. When that day comes, only those who eat sour grapes will get the sour taste, and only those who sin will be put to death.
31. The Lord said:The time will surely come when I will make a new agreement with the people of Israel and Judah.
32. It will be different from the agreement I made with their ancestors when I led them out of Egypt. Although I was their God, they broke that agreement.
33. Here is the new agreement that I, the Lord, will make with the people of Israel:“I will write my lawson their hearts and minds.I will be their God,and they will be my people.
34. “No longer will they have to teach one another to obey me. I, the Lord, promise that all of them will obey me, ordinary people and rulers alike. I will forgive their sins and forget the evil things they have done.”
35. I am the Lord All-Powerful.I command the sunto give light each day,the moon and starsto shine at night,and ocean waves to roar.
36. I will never forgetto give those commands,and I will never let Israelstop being a nation.I, the Lord, have spoken.
37. Can you measure the heavens?Can you explorethe depths of the earth?That's how hard it would befor me to reject Israel for ever,even though they have sinned.I, the Lord, have spoken.
38. The Lord said:Some day, Jerusalem will truly belong to me. It will be rebuilt with a boundary line running from Hananel Tower to Corner Gate.