Israel’s Happy Return from Exile

31 At that time, saith Jehovah,

I will be God indeed

Unto all the families of Israel,

And they shall be My people.

2 Thus saith Jehovah:

The people escaped from the sword

shall most surely find grace in the wilderness.

When Israel seeketh for rest,

3 From afar will Jehovah appear to him.

I have loved thee with love everlasting.

And so I with kindness have drawn thee.

4 Once more, O virgin of Israel,

I will build thee up securely:

Once more shalt thou deck thee with timbrels,

And step in the merry dance;

5 Once more on the hills of Samaria

Shall vineyards be planted by thee,

And the planters shall eat what they planted.

6 For a day shall come when the watchers

On Ephraim’s highlands shall cry,

"Arise, let us pilgrim to Zion,

Where dwelleth Jehovah our God."

7 For thus saith Jehovah to Jacob,

Ring out a cry of joy;

Shout on the top of the mountains,

Publish, and praise, and say,

"Jehovah hath saved His people,

The remnant of Israel."

8 Behold, from the north land I bring them,

And out of earth’s uttermost parts I will gather them–

Among them the blind and the lame,

And the women with child, with those soon to be mothers;

Hither again they shall come – a great company.

9 Forth they went with tears,

But their homeward way I will comfort;

I will lead them to streams of water,

On a level way without stumbling;

For I am a Father to Israel,

And Ephraim is My firstborn.

10 Hear, O ye nations, the word of Jehovah,

Declare it to far distant islands and say,

"He that scattered Israel shall gather him,

And keep him as shepherd his flock."

11 For Jehovah hath ransomed Jacob,

And redeemed him from hands that were stronger than his.

12 They shall come, they shall sing on the heights of Zion,

All radiant with joy at the gifts of Jehovah–

The corn and the wine and the oil,

And the young of the flock and the herd;

Their soul like a well-watered garden shall be,

And they shall pine no more.

13 Then the maids shall rejoice in the dance,

And the young and the old shall be merry;

I will turn their mourning to joy,

I will comfort and gladden them after their sorrow.

14 The priests I will satisfy richly,

My folk shall be filled with My bounty.