ירמיהו לג

The word of GOD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still confined in the prison compound, as follows:

Thus said GOD who is planning it,
GOD who is shaping it to bring it about,
Whose name is GOD:

Call to Me, and I will answer you,
And I will tell you wondrous things,
Secrets you have not known.

For thus said the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city and the palaces of the kings of Judah that were torn down for [defense] against the siege mounds and against the sword,

and were filled by those who went to fight the Chaldeans—with the corpses of those whom I struck down in My anger and rage, hiding My face from this city because of all their wickedness:

I am going to bring her relief and healing. I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of true favor.

And I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel, and I will rebuild them as of old.

And I will purge them of all the sins that they committed against Me, and I will pardon all the sins that they committed against Me, by which they rebelled against Me.

And she shall gain through Me renown, joy, fame, and glory above all the nations on earth, when they hear of all the good fortune I provide for them. They will thrill and quiver because of all the good fortune and all the prosperity that I provide for her.

Thus said GOD: Again there shall be heard in this place, which you say is ruined, without humans or animals—in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without humans, without inhabitants, without animals—

the sound of mirth and gladness, the voice of bridegroom and bride, the voice of those who cry, “Give thanks to GOD of Hosts, for GOD—whose steadfast love is eternal—is good!” as they bring thanksgiving offerings to the House of GOD. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as of old—said GOD.

Thus said GOD of Hosts: In this ruined place, without humans or animals, and in all its towns, there shall again be a pasture for shepherds, where they can rest their flocks.

In the towns of the hill country, in the towns of the Shephelah, and in the towns of the Negeb, in the land of Benjamin and in the environs of Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah, sheep shall pass again under the hands of one who counts them—said GOD.

See, days are coming—declares GOD—when I will fulfill the promise that I made concerning the House of Israel and the House of Judah.

In those days and at that time, I will raise up a true branch of David’s line, and he shall do what is just and right in the land.

In those days Judah shall be delivered and Jerusalem shall dwell secure. And this is what it shall be called: “GOD is our Vindicator.”

For thus said GOD: There shall never be an end to those of David’s line who sit upon the throne of the House of Israel.

Nor shall there ever be an end to the line of the levitical priests before Me, of those who present burnt offerings and turn the grain offering to smoke and perform sacrifices.

The word of GOD came to Jeremiah:

Thus said GOD: If you could break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that day and night should not come at their proper time,

only then could My covenant with My servant David be broken—so that he would not have a descendant reigning upon his throne—or with My ministrants, the levitical priests.

Like the host of heaven that cannot be counted, and the sand of the sea that cannot be measured, so will I multiply the offspring of My servant David, and of the Levites who minister to Me.

The word of GOD came to Jeremiah:

You see what this people said: “The two families that GOD chose have now been rejected.” Thus they despise My people, and regard them as no longer a nation.

Thus said GOD: As surely as I have established My covenant with day and night—the laws of heaven and earth—

so I will never reject the offspring of Jacob and My servant David; I will never fail to take from his offspring rulers for the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Indeed, I will restore their fortunes and take them back in love.