16. Thus says Yahweh: “Restrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work,” declares Yahweh, “and they will return from the land of the enemy.
17. And there is hope for your future,” declares Yahweh, “and your children will return to their territory.
18. Indeed I heard Ephraim pitying themselves, ‘You disciplined me, and I was disciplined, like a calf that is not trained. Bring me back and let me return, for you are Yahweh my God.
19. For after my turning back I repented, and after coming to understand I struck my thigh. I was ashamed and also humiliated, because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’
20. Is Ephraim my dear son, or the child of my delight? For as often as I have earnestly spoken against him, I still remember him. Therefore my bowels are turbulent for him, surely I will have compassion on him,” declares Yahweh.
21. “Set up for yourself road markers, make for yourself signposts, set your mind to the main road, the road by which you went. Return, O virgin of Israel, return to these your cities.
22. How long will you waver, O unfaithful daughter? For Yahweh has created a new thing on the earth, a woman, she shelters a man.”
23. Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, “They will again say these words in the land of Judah and in its towns at my restoring their fortunes, ‘Yahweh bless you, O settlement of righteousness, O hill of holiness.’
24. And Judah and all of its towns together will live in it, farmers and those who travel with the flocks.