1. This is the message that came to Jeremiah from the Lord.
2. The Lord, the God of the people of Israel, said, “Jeremiah, write in a book the words I have spoken to you. Write this book for yourself.
3. Do this because the days will come”—this message is from the Lord—“when I will bring my people, Israel and Judah, back from exile.” This message is from the Lord. “I will put the people back in the land that I gave to their ancestors. Then my people will own that land again.”
4. The Lord spoke this message about the people of Israel and Judah.
5. This is what the Lord said: “We hear people crying from fear. There is fear, not peace.
6. “Ask this question and consider it: Can a man have a baby? Of course not! Then why do I see every strong man holding his stomach like a woman having labor pains? Why is everyone’s face turning white like a dead man?
7. “This is a very important time for Jacob. This is a time of great trouble. There will never be another time like this, but Jacob will be saved.
8. “At that time,” says the Lord All-Powerful, “I will break the yoke from the necks of the people of Israel and Judah, and I will break the ropes holding you. People from foreign countries will never again force my people to be slaves.
9. The people of Israel and Judah will not serve foreign countries. No, they will serve the Lord their God. I will send them David their king, and they will serve him.
10. “So Jacob, my servant, don’t be afraid!” This message is from the Lord. “Israel, don’t be afraid. I will save you from that faraway place. You are captives in that faraway land, but I will save your descendants. I will bring them back from that land. Jacob will have peace again. People will not bother Jacob. There will be no enemy to frighten my people.
11. People of Israel and Judah, I am with you.” This message is from the Lord. “I will save you. I sent you to those nations, but I will completely destroy all of them. It is true; I will destroy those nations, but I will not destroy you. You must be punished for the bad things you did, but I will discipline you fairly.”
12. This is what the Lord says: “You people of Israel and Judah have a wound that cannot be cured. You have an injury that will not heal.