1,2 The Lord God of Israel said, "Jeremiah, get a scroll* and write down everything I have told you. 3 Someday I will let my people from both Israel* and Judah return to the land I gave their ancestors."

4,5 Then the Lord told me to say to Israel and Judah:

Screams of terror are heard,

with no word of peace.

6 Can men give birth?

Then why do I see them

looking so pale

and clutching their stomachs

like women in labor?

7 My people, soon you will suffer

worse than ever before,

but I will save you.

8 Now you are slaves

of other nations,

but I will break the chains

and smash the yokes*

that keep you in slavery.

9 Then you will be my servants,

and I will choose a king for you

from the family of David.

* 10 * Israel,* you belong to me,

so don't be afraid.

You deserved to be punished;

that's why I scattered you

in distant nations.

But I am with you,

and someday I will destroy

those nations.

11 Then I will bring you

and your descendants

back to your land,

where I will protect you

and give you peace.

Then your fears will be gone.

I, the Lord, have spoken.

12 The Lord said:

My people, you are wounded

and near death.

13 You are accused of a crime

with no one to defend you,

and you are covered with sores

that no medicine can cure.

* 14 Your friends have forgotten you;

they don't care anymore.

Even I have acted like an enemy.

And because your sins

are horrible and countless,

I will be cruel

as I punish you.

15 So don't bother to cry out

for relief from your pain.

16 But if your enemies try to rob

or destroy you,

I will rob and destroy them,

and they will be led as captives

to foreign lands.

17 No one wants you as a friend

or cares what happens to you.

But I will heal your injuries,

and you will get well.

18 The Lord said:

Israel, I will be kind to you

and let you come home.

Jerusalem now lies in ruins,

but you will rebuild it,

complete with a new palace.*

19 Other nations will respect

and honor you.

Your homes will be filled

with children,

and you will celebrate,

singing praises to me.

20 It will be just like old times.

Your nation will worship me,

and I will punish anyone

who abuses you.

21 One of your own people

will become your ruler.

And when I invite him

to come near me

at the place of worship,

he will do so.

No one would dare to come near

without being invited.

22 You will be my people,

and I will be your God.

I, the Lord, have spoken.

23 I am furious!

And like a violent storm

I will strike those

who do wrong.

24 I won't calm down

until I have finished

what I have decided to do.

Someday, you will understand

what I mean.