For the Lordwill not rejectforever,
"For we will surelydieand are like waterspilledon the groundwhichcannotbe gatheredup again. Yet Goddoes not takeaway life,but planswaysso that the banishedonewill not be castout from him.
Thus I will afflictthe descendantsof Davidfor this,but not always.'"
Will the Lordrejectforever?And will He neverbe favorableagain?
For the LORDwill not abandonHis people,Norwill He forsakeHis inheritance.
You contendedwith them by banishingthem, by drivingthem away.With His fiercewindHe has expelled[them] on the dayof the eastwind.
"For I will not contendforever,Norwill I alwaysbe angry;For the spiritwould growfaintbeforeMe, And the breath[of those whom] I have made.
Thussaysthe LORD,"Ifthe heavensabovecan be measuredAnd the foundationsof the earthsearchedout below,Then I will alsocastoffallthe offspringof IsraelFor allthat they have done,"declaresthe LORD.
"I will makean everlastingcovenantwith them that I will not turnawayfrom them, to dothem good;and I will putthe fearof Me in their heartsso that they will not turnawayfrom Me.
"Have you not observedwhatthispeoplehave spoken,saying,The twofamilieswhichthe LORDchose,He has rejectedthem'? Thus they despiseMy people,nolongerare they as a nationin their sight.
Whois a GodlikeYou, who pardonsiniquityAnd passesoverthe rebelliousactof the remnantof His possession?He does not retainHis angerforever,BecauseHe delightsin unchanginglove.
Thussaysthe LORD,"Thoughthey are at full[strength] and likewisemany,Even so,they will be cutoffand passaway.Though I have afflictedyou, I will afflictyou nolonger.
"For the LORDwill not abandonHis peopleon accountof His greatname,becausethe LORDhas been pleasedto makeyou a peoplefor Himself.
