thenI would rejectthe descendantsof Jacoband DavidMy servant,not takingfrom his descendantsrulersoverthe descendantsof Abraham,Isaacand Jacob.But I will restoretheir fortunesand will havemercyon them.'"
"The sceptershall not departfrom Judah,Northe ruler'sstafffrom betweenhis feet,UntilShilohcomes,And to him [shall be] the obedienceof the peoples.
Now theseare the peopleof the provincewho cameup out of the captivityof the exileswhomNebuchadnezzarthe kingof Babylonhad carriedawayto Babylon,and returnedto Jerusalemand Judah,eachto his city.
Now the priestsand the Levites,someof the people,the singers,the gatekeepersand the templeservantslivedin their cities,and allIsraelin their cities.
When the LORDbroughtbackthe captiveones of Zion,We were like those who dream.
Whenthe LORDwill havecompassionon Jacoband againchooseIsrael,and settlethem in their own land,then strangerswill jointhem and attachthemselves to the houseof Jacob.
"In an outburstof angerI hidMy facefrom you for a moment,But with everlastinglovingkindnessI will havecompassionon you," Saysthe LORDyour Redeemer.
"Goand proclaimthesewordstoward the northand say,Return,faithlessIsrael,'declaresthe LORD;I will not lookupon you in anger. For I am gracious,'declaresthe LORD;'I will not be angryforever.
"Is EphraimMy dearson?Is he a delightfulchild?Indeed,as oftenas I have spokenagainst him, I certainly[still] rememberhim; ThereforeMy heartyearnsfor him; I will surelyhavemercyon him," declaresthe LORD.
Thussaysthe LORD,Who givesthe sunfor lightby dayAnd the fixedorderof the moonand the starsfor lightby night,Who stirsup the seaso that its wavesroar;The LORDof hostsis His name:
Thussaysthe LORD,"Ifthe heavensabovecan be measuredAnd the foundationsof the earthsearchedout below,Then I will alsocastoffallthe offspringof IsraelFor allthat they have done,"declaresthe LORD.
"Have you not observedwhatthispeoplehave spoken,saying,The twofamilieswhichthe LORDchose,He has rejectedthem'? Thus they despiseMy people,nolongerare they as a nationin their sight.
Thereforethussaysthe LordGOD,"NowI will restorethe fortunesof Jacoband havemercyon the wholehouseof Israel;and I will be jealousfor My holyname.
"But I will havecompassionon the houseof Judahand deliverthem by the LORDtheir God,and will not deliverthem by bow,sword,battle,horsesor horsemen."
"I will sowher for Myself in the land.I will also havecompassionon her who had not obtainedcompassion,And I will sayto those who were not My people,'You are My people!'And they will say,'[You are] my God!'"
"I will strengthenthe houseof Judah,And I will savethe houseof Joseph,And I will bringthem back,BecauseI havehadcompassionon them; And they will be as thoughI had not rejectedthem, For I am the LORDtheir Godand I will answerthem.
For Godhas shutup allin disobediencesothat He may show mercyto all.
