11. The Lord will free the descendants of Jacoband reclaim them from those who are stronger than they are.
12. They will come and shout for joy on top of Mount Zion.They will stream to it to enjoy the Lord’s blessings:fresh grain, new wine, and olive oil, lambs and calves.Their lives will be like well-watered gardens,and they will never suffer again.
13. Then young women will rejoice and dancealong with young men and old men.I will turn their mourning into joy.I will comfort them.I will give them joy in place of their sorrow.
14. I will satisfy the priests with rich food.My people will be filled with my blessings,” declares the Lord.
15. This is what the Lord says:A sound is heard in Ramah,the sound of crying in bitter grief.Rachel is crying for her children.She refuses to be comforted,because they are dead.
16. This is what the Lord says:Stop your crying, and wipe away your tears.You will be rewarded for your work, declares the Lord.You will return from the land of the enemy.
17. Your future is filled with hope, declares the Lord.Your children will return to their own territory.
18. “I have certainly heard Ephraim mourn and say,‘You disciplined me, and I was disciplined.I was like a young, untrained calf.Turn me, and I will be turned,because you are the Lord my God.