15 Yahweh says this,

“A voice is heard in Ramah, wailing,

bitter weeping.

Rahel (Rachel)[ref] is weeping over her sons.

She refuses to be comforted over her sons,

because he is no more.”[ref]

16 Yahweh says this,

“Don’t cry any more,

≈ and keep the tears out of your eyes,

→ because there’s a reward for your work,

→ and they’ll return from the enemy’s country.”

That is Yahweh’s declaration.

17 There’s hope for your future,

and your children will return to their border.

That is Yahweh’s declaration.

18 I’ve heard Yisrael (Israel; Heb. Efrayim) upset at itself, saying,

You disciplined me,

and I was disciplined like an untrained calf.

Restore me so I can return

because you’re my god Yahweh.

19 Yes, after I turned away, I repented,

and after I was instructed, I slapped my thigh.

I was ashamed and also humiliated

because I still bore the reproach from my youthful rebellion.

20 Isn’t Yisrael a precious son to me,

or a child that I really liked?

Yes, as often as I speak against him,

I still continually remember him.

Therefore I groan deep down for him.

I’ll always feel compassionate towards him.

That is Yahweh’s declaration.

21 Set signposts up for yourself.

≈ Place markers where you can see them.

Set the highway as your goal—

≈ the path that you went on.

Yisrael’s (Israel’s) young daughter, return—

≈ return to those cities of yours.

22 How much longer will you waver, you apostate daughter?

Yes, Yahweh has created something new in the land—

a woman protects[fn] a man.