1. At that time—oracle of the Lord—I will be the God of all the families of Israel,and they shall be my people.
2. Thus says the Lord:The people who escaped the swordfind favor in the wilderness.As Israel comes forward to receive rest,
3. from afar the Lord appears:With age-old love I have loved you;so I have kept my mercy toward you.
4. Again I will build you, and you shall stay built,virgin Israel;Carrying your festive tambourines,you shall go forth dancing with merrymakers.
5. You shall again plant vineyardson the mountains of Samaria;those who plant them shall enjoy their fruits.
6. Yes, a day will come when the watchmencall out on Mount Ephraim:“Come, let us go up to Zion,to the Lord, our God.”
7. For thus says the Lord:Shout with joy for Jacob,exult at the head of the nations;proclaim your praise and say:The Lord has saved his people,the remnant of Israel.
8. Look! I will bring them backfrom the land of the north;I will gather them from the ends of the earth,the blind and the lame in their midst,Pregnant women, together with those in labor—an immense throng—they shall return.
9. With weeping they shall come,but with compassion I will guide them;I will lead them to streams of water,on a level road, without stumbling.For I am a father to Israel,Ephraim is my firstborn.