A Message of Consolation

1This message came from the LORD to Jeremiah: 2“This is what the LORD God of Israel says: ‘Write all the words that I’ve spoken to you in a book. 3Indeed, the timea will come,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I’ll restore the security of my people Israel and Judah,’ says the LORD. ‘I’ll bring them back to the land that I gave to their ancestors, and they’ll possess it.’”

4These are the words that the LORD spoke about Israel and Judah:

5“Indeed, this is what the LORD says:

‘We have heard a sound of terror

and of fear, and there is no peace.

6Ask about this and think about it—

Can a man give birth to a child?

Why then do I see every strong man

with his hands on his thighs

like a woman giving birth,

and all their faces have turned pale?

7Oh how terrible! That timeb will be worse

than any like it.

It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,

but he will be rescued from it.

8On that day,’ declares the LORD

of the Heavenly Armies,

‘I’ll break the yokec from your neck

and will tear off your restraints.d

Foreigners will no longer make youe serve them.f

9Rather, they will serve the LORD their God

and David their king,

whom I will raise up for them.

10‘My servant Jacob, don’t be afraid,’ declares the LORD,

‘and Israel, don’t be dismayed.

For I’ll deliver you from a distant place

and your descendants from the land of their captivity.

Jacob will return. He will be undisturbed and secure,

and no one will cause him to fear.

11For I’ll be with you to save you,’

declares the LORD.

‘For I’ll put an end to all the nations

where I scattered you;

but I won’t make an end of you.

I’ll discipline you justly,

but I certainly won’t leave you unpunished.’

The Healing of Zion’s Wounds

12“For this is what the LORD says:

‘Your injury won’t heal;

your wound is severe.

13There is no one to plead your cause.

There is no medicine for your sore;g

no healing for you.

14All your lovers have forgotten you;

they don’t seek you.

Indeed, I’ve struck you down

with the blow of an enemy,

with the punishment of a cruel foeh

because your wickedness is great,

and your sins are numerous.

15Why do you cry out because of your injury?

Your wound won’t heal.

Because your wickedness is severe,

and your sins are numerous,

I’ve done all these things to you.

16In addition, all who devour you will be devoured,

and all your oppressors—all of them—

will go into captivity.

Those who plunder you will become plunder,

and all who spoil you will become spoil.

17Indeed, I’ll bring you healing,

and I’ll heal you of your wounds,’

declares the LORD,

‘because they have called you an outcast

and have said,i “It is Zion, no one cares for her!”’”j

Jacob’s Restoration

18“This is what the LORD says:

‘I’m going to restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob

and have compassion on his dwellings.

A city will be rebuilt on its ruins

and a palacek will sit on its rightful place.

19Thanksgiving and the sounds of laughter

will come out of them.

I’ll cause them to increase in numbers and not decrease.

I’ll honor them and not make them insignificant.

20Theirl children will be as they were before,

and their congregation will be established before me.

I’ll punish all who oppress them.

21Their leader will be one of their own,m

and their ruler will come from among them.

I’ll bring him near, and he will approach me,

for who would otherwise dare to approach me?’

declares the LORD.

22‘You will be my people,

and I’ll be your God.’”

The Coming Judgment

23Look, the storm of the LORD!

Hisn wrath has gone forth, a twisting storm.

It will swirl around the head of the wicked.

24The fierce anger of the LORD won’t turn back

until he has accomplished and established the plan of his heart.

In the days to come, you will understand this.