So the family leaders from the family groups of Judah and Benjamin prepared to go up to Jerusalem. They were going to Jerusalem to build the Lord’s temple. Also, every person that God had encouraged got ready to go to Jerusalem.
\{In the past,\} my Master (God) gave you sorrow and hurt—it was like the bread and water you ate every day. But God is your teacher, and he will not continue to hide from you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes.
Jerusalem, you are rich—you are rich with wisdom and knowledge of God. You are rich with salvation. You respect the Lord and that makes you rich. So you can know that you will continue.
My people, leave Babylon!\par My people, run from the Chaldeans!\par Tell this news with joy to the people!\par Spread this news to the faraway places\par on earth!\par Tell the people,\par “The Lord rescued his servant Jacob!\par
The people will not be hungry.\par They will not be thirsty.\par The hot sun and wind will not hurt them.\par Why? Because God comforts them\par and God will lead them.\par He will lead them near springs of water.\par
But the Lord says,\par “The prisoners will escape.\par Someone will take those prisoners\par away from the strong soldier.\par \{How will this happen?\}\par I will fight your fights.\par I will save your children.\par
Shake off the dust!\par Put on your wonderful clothes!\par Jerusalem, Daughter of Zion, {\cf2\super [422]} \par you were a prisoner.\par But now, free yourself from the chains\par that are around your neck!\par
Those people put Jeremiah into a cell under the house of Jonathan. That cell was in a dungeon {\cf2\super [323]} under the ground. Jeremiah was there for a long time.
Jerusalem, we used blood\par to seal your Agreement.\par So I am setting your people free\par from that empty hole in the ground. {\cf2\super [24]} \par