1 THE word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

2 Thus says the LORD God of Israel: Write all the words that I have spoken to you in a book.

3 For behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will bring back the captives of my people Israel and Judah, says the LORD; and I will bring them back to the land which I gave to their fathers and they shall possess it.

4 And these are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah.

5 Thus says the LORD: We have heard a sound of trembling and of fear; and there is no peace.

6 Ask now and see: Can a male bear a child? Wherefore do I observe every man with his hands on his loins, like a woman in travail, and all faces turned into paleness?

7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob; but he shall be saved out of it.

8 For it shall come to pass in that day, says the LORD of hosts, that I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon from off your neck, and I will cut off your bonds, and strangers shall no more enslave them;

9 But they shall serve the LORD their God and David their king whom I will raise up for them.

10 Therefore fear not, O my servant Jacob, says the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel; for, lo, I will save you from afar and your offspring from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall hurt him.

11 Fear not, O my servant Jacob, says the LORD, for I am with you to save you, says the LORD; for I will make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered you, yet I will not make a full end of you; but I will correct you justly, and will not declare you innocent.

12 For thus says the LORD: Your wound is grievous, and your affliction is severe.

13 There is none to plead your cause or to succor you and heal you.

14 All your friends have forgotten you; they seek your life; for I have smitten you with the wound of an enemy, with a severe chastisement because of the multitude of your iniquities, and because your sins were increased and you would not repent.

15 Why do you lament over your wound? Your wound is painful because of the multitude of your iniquities; and because your sins were increased, I have done these things to you.

16 Therefore, all who devour you shall be devoured; and all your enemies, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and those who trample over you shall be trampled over, and all those who plunder you I will give for a prey.

17 For I will restore health to you, and I will heal you of your wounds, says the LORD; because they have called you an outcast, saying, This is Zion who had no avenger.

18 Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and I will do to him as of old, and have mercy on his dwelling places; the city shall be built upon its own hill, and the temple shall be established after the former manner thereof.

19 And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who sing; and I will multiply them, and they shall not decrease; I will also make them mighty, and they shall not be weak.

20 Their children also shall be as of old, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all who oppress them.

21 And their king shall be one of themselves, and their governors shall come forth from among themselves; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach to me; for I will turn his heart towards me, says the LORD.

22 And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

23 Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goes forth with fury, a tornado; it shall rest upon the head of the wicked.

24 The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has executed his orders and until he has performed the intents of his heart; in the latter days you shall understand this.