14. The priests will enjoy abundance,and my people will feast on my good gifts.I, the lord, have spoken!”
15. This is what the lord says: “A cry is heard in Ramah—deep anguish and bitter weeping.Rachel weeps for her children,refusing to be comforted—for her children are gone.”
16. But now this is what the lord says:“Do not weep any longer,for I will reward you,” says the lord.“Your children will come back to youfrom the distant land of the enemy.
17. There is hope for your future,” says the lord.“Your children will come again to their own land.
18. I have heard Israel saying,‘You disciplined me severely,like a calf that needs training for the yoke.Turn me again to you and restore me,for you alone are the lord my God.
19. I turned away from God,but then I was sorry.I kicked myself for my stupidity!I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days.’
20. “Is not Israel still my son,my darling child?” says the lord.“I often have to punish him,but I still love him.That’s why I long for himand surely will have mercy on him.
21. Set up road signs;put up guideposts.Mark well the pathby which you came.Come back again, my virgin Israel;return to your towns here.
22. How long will you wander,my wayward daughter?For the lord will cause something new to happen—Israel will embrace her God.”
23. This is what the lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “When I bring them back from captivity, the people of Judah and its towns will again say, ‘The lord bless you, O righteous home, O holy mountain!’