13. In the cities on the mountains, in the foothills, in the Negev, in the territory of Benjamin, in the area around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shepherds will once again count their sheep,” says the Lord.
14. “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will keep the promise that I made to Israel and Judah.
15. In those days and at that time, I will cause a righteous branch to spring up for David. He will do what is fair and right in the land.
16. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live securely. Jerusalem will be called The Lord Our Righteousness.
17. “This what the Lord says: David will never fail to have a descendant sitting on the throne of Israel.
18. The Levitical priests will never fail to have a descendant in my presence to sacrifice burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to prepare daily sacrifices.”
19. The Lord spoke his word to Jeremiah. He said,
20. “This is what the Lord says: Suppose you could break my arrangement with day and night so that they wouldn’t come at their proper time.
21. Then my arrangement with my servant David could be broken, and he would not have a descendant to rule on his throne. The arrangement with my servants the Levitical priests could also be broken.
22. I will multiply the descendants of my servant David and the Levites who serve me like the stars of heaven that cannot be counted and the sand on the seashore that cannot be measured.”