1. The Lord spoke to Jeremiah.
2. “The Lord God of Israel says, ‘Write everything that I am about to tell you in a scroll.
3. For I, the Lord, affirm that the time will come when I will reverse the plight of my people, Israel and Judah,’ says the Lord. ‘I will bring them back to the land I gave their ancestors and they will take possession of it once again.’”
4. So here is what the Lord has to say about Israel and Judah.
5. Yes, here is what he says:“You hear cries of panic and of terror;there is no peace in sight.
6. Ask yourselves this and consider it carefully:Have you ever seen a man give birth to a baby?Why then do I see all these strong mengrabbing their stomachs in pain like a woman giving birth?And why do their facesturn so deathly pale?
7. Alas, what a terrible time of trouble it is!There has never been any like it.It is a time of trouble for the descendants of Jacob,but some of them will be rescued out of it.
8. When the time for them to be rescued comes,”says the Lord who rules over all,“I will rescue you from foreign subjugation.I will deliver you from captivity.Foreigners will then no longer subjugate them.
9. But they will be subject to the Lord their Godand to the Davidic ruler whom I will raise up as king over them.
10. So I, the Lord, tell you not to be afraid, you descendants of Jacob, my servants.Do not be terrified, people of Israel.For I will rescue you and your descendantsfrom a faraway land where you are captives.The descendants of Jacob will return to their land and enjoy peace.They will be secure and no one will terrify them.
11. For I, the Lord, affirm that I will be with you and will rescue you.I will completely destroy all the nations where I scattered you.But I will not completely destroy you.I will indeed discipline you, but only in due measure.I will not allow you to go entirely unpunished.”
12. Moreover, the Lord says to the people of Zion,“Your injuries are incurable;your wounds are severe.