1. The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying:
2. Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Write all the words that I have spoken to you in a book.
3. For surely the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah. The Lord says, I also will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
4. These are the words that the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah.
5. For thus says the Lord: I have heard a sound of trembling,of fear, and not of peace.
6. Ask now, and see,can a male labor with child?Why do I see every manwith his hands on his loins, as a woman in labor,and all faces turned pale?
7. Alas! for that day is great,so that no one is like it;it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble,but he shall be saved out of it.
8. For it shall come to pass in that day, says the Lord of Hosts,that I shall break his yoke from off their neckand tear away their bonds,and strangers shall no longer make them their slaves.
9. But they shall serve the Lord their Godand David their king,whom I will raise up for them.
10. Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,says the Lord,nor be dismayed, O Israel;for I will save you from afar,and your seed from the land of their captivity.And Jacob shall return and shall be in rest and be quiet,and no one shall make him afraid.
11. For I am with you, says the Lord,to save you.Although I make a full end of all nationswherever I have scattered you,yet I will not make a full end of you.But I will correct you in measureand will not leave you altogether unpunished.
12. For thus says the Lord: Your bruise is incurableand your wound is severe.
13. There is no one to plead your causethat you may be bound up.You have no healing medicines.