7. Moreover, the Lord says,“Sing for joy for the descendants of Jacob.Utter glad shouts for that foremost of the nations.Make your praises heard. Then say, ‘Lord, rescue your people.Deliver those of Israel who remain alive.’
8. Then I will reply, ‘I will bring them back from the land of the north.I will gather them in from the distant parts of the earth.Blind and lame people will come with them,so will pregnant women and women about to give birth.A vast throng of people will come back here.
9. They will come back shedding tears of contrition.I will bring them back praying prayers of repentance.I will lead them besides streams of water,along smooth paths where they will never stumble.I will do this because I am Israel’s father;Ephraim is my firstborn son.’”
10. Hear what the Lord has to say, O nations.Proclaim it in the faraway lands along the sea.Say, “The one who scattered Israel will regather them.He will watch over his people like a shepherd watches over his flock.”
11. For the Lord will rescue the descendants of Jacob.He will secure their release from those who had overpowered them.
12. They will come and shout for joy on Mount Zion.They will be radiant with joy over the good things the Lord provides,the grain, the fresh wine, the olive oil,the young sheep and calves he has given to them.They will be like a well-watered gardenand will not grow faint or weary any more.
13. The Lord says, “At that time young women will dance and be glad.Young men and old men will rejoice.I will turn their grief into gladness.I will give them comfort and joy in place of their sorrow.
14. I will provide the priests with abundant provisions.My people will be filled to the full with the good things I provide.”
15. The Lord says,“A sound is heard in Ramah,a sound of crying in bitter grief.It is the sound of Rachel weeping for her childrenand refusing to be comforted, because her children are gone.”
16. The Lord says to her,“Stop crying! Do not shed any more tears!For your heartfelt repentance will be rewarded.Your children will return from the land of the enemy.I, the Lord, affirm it!