20. Isn’t Ephraim my much-loved child?Don’t I utterly adore him?Even when I scold him,I still hold him dear.I yearn for him and love him deeply,declares the Lord.
21. Set up markers,put up signs;think about the road you have traveled,the path you have taken.Return, virgin Israel;return to these towns of yours.
22. How long will you hem and haw,my rebellious daughter?The Lord has created something new on earth:Virgin Israel will once again embrace her God!
23. The Lord of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, proclaims: When I bring my people back from captivity, they will once again utter these words in the land and towns of Judah:The Lord bless you,righteous dwelling place,holy mountain.
24. Those who live in Judah and its towns will dwell together with farmers and shepherds.
25. I will strengthen the weary and renew those who are weak.
26. Then I woke up and looked around. What a pleasant sleep I had!