6. The time will come whenthe watchmen shout fromthe highlands of Ephraim:"Get ready! We’re going up to Zionto the Lord our God!"
7. The Lord proclaims:Sing joyfully for the people of Jacob;shout for the leading nation.Raise your voices with praise and call out:"The Lord has saved his people,the remaining few in Israel!"
8. I’m going to bring them back from the north;I will gather them from the ends of the earth.Among them will be the blind and the disabled,expectant mothers and those in labor;a great throng will return here.
9. With tears of joy they will come;while they pray, I will bring them back.I will lead them by quiet streamsand on smooth paths so they don’t stumble.I will be Israel’s father,Ephraim will be my oldest child.
10. Listen to the Lord’s word, you nations,and announce it to the distant islands:The one who scattered Israel will gather themand keep them safe, as a shepherd his flock.