[The Lord gave Jeremiah this message.] "At that time," says the Lord, "all the families of Israel shall recognize Me as the Lord; they shall act like My people." For long ago the Lord had said to Israel: "I have loved you, O My people, with an everlasting love; with lovingkindness I have drawn you to Me. I will rebuild your nation, O virgin of Israel. You will again be happy and dance merrily with the timbrels. Again you will plant your vineyards upon the mountains of Samaria and eat from your own garden there.
   "The day shall come when watchmen on the hills of Ephraim will call out and say, 'Arise, and let us go up to Zion to the Lord our God.' For the Lord says, "Sing with joy for all that I will do for Israel, the greatest of the nations! Shout out with praise and joy: The Lord has saved His people, the remnant of Israel.
   "For I will bring them from the north and from earth's farthest ends, not forgetting their blind and lame, young mothers with their little ones, those ready to give birth. It will be a great company who comes. Tears of joy shall stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care. They shall walk beside the quiet streams and not stumble. For I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My oldest child."
   Listen to this message from the Lord, you nations of the world, and publish it abroad: "The Lord Who scattered His people will gather them back together again and watch over them as a shepherd does his flock. He will save Israel from those who are too strong for them! They shall come home and sing songs of joy upon the hills of Zion, and shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord - the good crops, the wheat and the wine and the oil, and the healthy flocks and herds.
   "For I will turn their mourning into joy and I will comfort them and make them rejoice, for their captivity with all its sorrows will be behind them . . . I will inscribe My laws upon their hearts, so that they shall want to honor Me; then they shall truly be My people and I will be their God. At that time it will no longer be necessary to admonish one another to know the Lord. For everyone, both great and small, shall really know Me then," says the Lord, "and I will forgive and forget their sins."

Taken from Jer. 31, The Living Bible and The New King James. For free Lifescope book,
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