God

"So don't be afraid, Ya'akov my servant," says ADONAI, "or be alarmed, Isra'el; for I will return you from far away and your offspring from their country of exile. Ya'akov will again be quiet, at rest; and no one will make him afraid.

"For I am with you to save you," says ADONAI, "I will finish off all the nations where I have scattered you. However, you I will not finish off, but will discipline only as you deserve; I will not completely destroy you."

For here is what ADONAI says: "Your wound is past healing, your injury most severe;

All your friends have forgotten you, they no longer seek you out. I have struck you down as an enemy would, punished as a cruel man would, because of your great wickedness, because of your many sins.

Why cry that your wound and pain are past healing? I have done these things to you because of your great wickedness, because of your many sins.

"But all who devour you will be devoured, all your enemies will go into exile, those who plunder you will be plundered, those who pillage you will be pillaged.

For I will restore your health, I will heal you of your wounds," says ADONAI, "because they called you an outcast, Tziyon, with no one who cares about her."

Thus says ADONAI: "I will return Ya'akov's captives to their tents; I will take pity on his dwellings. Cities will be rebuilt on their own tels, with palaces where they're supposed to be.

From them will come thanksgiving and the sound of people celebrating. I will increase them; they will not be decreased; I will honor them; they will not be despised.

Their children will be as they used to be, their community confirmed in my presence; and I will punish everyone who oppresses them.

Their leader will be one of their own, their ruler will come from among them. I will cause him to come close and let him approach me; for, otherwise, who would guarantee his heart enough to approach me?" says ADONAI.

"You will be my people, and I will be your God."

Look! The storm of ADONAI, bursting out in fury, a sweeping storm, whirling down upon the heads of the wicked!

ADONAI's fierce anger will not abate till he accomplishes the purpose in his heart. In the acharit-hayamim, you will understand.

"When that time comes," says ADONAI, "I will be God of all the clans of Isra'el, and they will be my people."

Here is what ADONAI says: "The people escaping the sword found favor in the desert I have brought Isra'el to its rest."

From a distance ADONAI appeared to me, [saying,] "I love you with an everlasting love; this is why in my grace I draw you to me.

Once again, I will build you; you will be rebuilt, virgin of Isra'el. Once again, equipped with your tambourines, you will go out and dance with the merrymakers.

For a day will come when the watchmen on Mount Efrayim will call, 'Come, let's go up to Tziyon, to ADONAI our God.'"

For here is what ADONAI says: "Sing with joy for Ya'akov! shout for the chief of the nations! Proclaim your praise, and say: 'ADONAI! You have saved your people, the remnant of Isra'el!'

Look! I am bringing them from the land in the north, gathering them from the far ends of the earth; among them are the blind and lame, women with children, women in labor, all together, a vast throng returning here.

They will come weeping and praying as I bring them back. I will lead them by streams of water on smooth paths, so that they won't stumble. For I am a father to Isra'el, and Efrayim is my firstborn son."

Nations, hear the word of ADONAI! Proclaim it in the coastlands far away. Say: "He who scattered Isra'el is gathering him, guarding him like a shepherd his flock."

For ADONAI has ransomed Ya'akov, redeemed him from hands too strong for him.

They will come and sing on the heights of Tziyon, streaming to the goodness of Adonai, to the grain, the wine, the olive oil, and the young of the flock and the herd. They themselves will be like a well-watered garden, never to languish again.