6. I will strengthen the house of Judah,the house of Joseph I will save;I will bring them back, because I have mercy on them;they will be as if I had never cast them off,for I am the Lord their God, and I will answer them.
7. Then Ephraim will be like a hero,and their hearts will be cheered as by wine.Their children will see and rejoice—their hearts will exult in the Lord.
8. I will whistle for them and gather them in;for I will redeem themand they will be as numerous as before.
9. I sowed them among the nations,yet in distant lands they will remember me;they will bear their children and return.
10. I will bring them back from the land of Egypt,and gather them from Assyria.To the land of Gilead and to Lebanon I will bring them,until no room is found for them.
11. I will cross over to Egyptand smite the waves of the sea,and all the depths of the Nile will dry up.The pride of Assyria will be cast down,and the scepter of Egypt disappear.
12. I will strengthen them in the Lord,in whose name they will walk—oracle of the Lord.