‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
He protects his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in the fold of his garment. He gently leads those that are nursing.
Look up, and look round. They all gather together; they come to you. As I live’ – this is the Lord’s declaration – ‘you will wear all your children as jewellery, and put them on as a bride does.
On that day the Lord will extend his hand a second time to recover the remnant of his people who survive #– #from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the coasts and islands of the west.
He will lift up a banner for the nations and gather the dispersed of Israel; he will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and will choose Israel again. He will settle them on their own land. The resident foreigner will join them and be united with the house of Jacob.
Shout for joy, you heavens! Earth, rejoice! Mountains, break into joyful shouts! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
Then you will say within yourself, “Who fathered these for me? I was deprived of my children and unable to conceive, exiled and wandering – but who brought them up? See, I was left by myself – but these, where did they come from? ” ’
This is what the Lord says: Where is your mother’s divorce certificate that I used to send her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and your mother was sent away because of your transgressions.
You will no longer be called Deserted, and your land will not be called Desolate; instead, you will be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; , for the Lord delights in you, and your land will be married.
I will make known the Lord’s faithful love and the Lord’s praiseworthy acts, because of all the Lord has done for us – even the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, which he did for them based on his compassion and the abundance of his faithful love.