31 Yahweh declares that at that time, I’ll be the god to all of Yisrael’s families, and they’ll be my people. 2 Yahweh says this:

A people, the survivors after being attacked in war,

found favour in the wilderness,

Yisrael going to find a peaceful place.

3 From far off, Yahweh appeared to me: I’ve always loved you

therefore I’ve displayed loyal commitment to help you endure.

4 I’ll rebuild you, and you’ll be restored, Yisrael’s pretty daughter.

Again you’ll adorn yourself with your tambourines,

≈ and will go out in the dance of those celebrating.

5 You’ll plant vineyards again on the Shomron (Samaria) hills.

The planters will plant and make them productive.

6 Yes, there’ll be a day when the watchers in the Efrayim hill country will call out,

‘Get ready and let’s go up to our god Yahweh at Tsiyyon (Zion),’

7 because Yahweh says this:

“Sing for Yisrael (Yakov) with gladness,

≈ and shout for this leader of the nations.

Cause it to be heard, praise, and say,

‘Yahweh, save your people, the remnant of Yisrael.’

8 Listen, I’m bringing them back from the land in the north,

≈ and I’ll gather them from the remote parts of the world.

Among them are the blind and the lame,

and pregnant women together with those giving birth.

A large number of people will return here.

9 They’ll be weeping as they come,

and as they request me, I’ll bring them out.

I’ll cause them to walk to streams of water on a straight road.

They won’t stumble on it.

because I’ve become a father for Yisrael,

≈ and Efrayim,[fn] he’s my firstborn.

10 Listen to Yahweh’s message, you nations,

and declare it in the coastlands from far off, and say,

‘The one scattering Yisrael will gather him back,

and he’ll protect him like a shepherd of his flock,

11 because Yahweh has ransomed Yisrael (Yakov)

and paid the price to free it from the power of a nation that’s stronger than it.

12 Then they’ll come and sing on Tsiyyon’s (Zion’s) heights,

and they’ll be radiant about Yahweh’s goodness:

about the grain, about the new wine and the fresh oil,

and about the young from the flock and the herd.

Their soul will be like a watered garden,

and they won’t be weakened again.

13 Then the young women will celebrate with dancing,

≈ along with the young and old men together.

I’ll turn their mourning into happiness and I’ll comfort them,

≈ and I’ll give them reason for celebration rather than sorrow.

14 I’ll satisfy the priests’ appetites for good food

and my people will be pleased by my goodness.

That is Yahweh’s declaration.