Jeremiah 30

¹ The word addressed to Jeremiah by Yahweh:

² Yahweh, the God of Israel says this: Write all the words I have spoken to you in a book.

³ For see, the days are coming – it is Yahweh who speaks – when I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel (and Judah), Yahweh says, and bring them back to possess the land I gave to their ancestors.

⁴ These are the words Yahweh spoke about Israel (and Judah):

⁵ Yahweh says this: I have heard a cry of panic, of terror, not of peace.

⁶ Now ask, consider: can men bear children? Then why do I see each man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labour? Why has every face changed, turned pale?

⁷ This is indeed a great day, no other like it: a time of distress for Jacob; but he will be freed from it.

⁸ On that day – it is Yahweh Sabaoth who speaks – I will break the yoke on their necks, and snap their chains. They will be no longer the servants of aliens,

⁹ but will serve Yahweh their God, and David their king whom I will raise up for them.

¹⁰ So do not be afraid, my servant Jacob – it is Yahweh who speaks – Israel, do not be alarmed: look, I will rescue you from distant countries and your descendants from the country where they are captive. Jacob will have quiet again and live at ease, with no one to trouble him.

¹¹ For I am with you to save you: I will make an end of all the nations where I have scattered you; I will not make an end of you, only discipline you in moderation, so as not to let you go entirely unpunished.

¹² Yes, Yahweh says this: Your wound is incurable, your injury past healing.

¹³ There is no one to care for your sore, no medicine to make you well again.

¹⁴ All your lovers have forgotten you, they look for you no more. Yes, I have struck you as an enemy strikes, with harsh punishment (so great is your guilt, so many your sins).

¹⁵ Why bother to complain about your wound? Your pain is incurable. So great is your guilt, so many your sins, that I have done all this to you.

¹⁶ But all those who devoured you shall themselves be devoured, all your oppressors go into captivity, those who despoiled you shall be despoiled, and all who preyed on you I will make into prey.

¹⁸ Yahweh says this: Now I will restore the tents of Jacob, and take pity on his dwellings: the city shall be rebuilt on its ruins, the citadel restored on its site.

¹⁹ From them will come thanksgiving and shouts of joy. I will make them increase, and not diminish them, make them honoured, and not disdained.

²⁰ Their sons shall be as once they were, their community fixed firm in my presence, and I will punish all their oppressors.

²¹ Their prince will be one of their own, their ruler come from their own people. I will let him come freely into my presence and he can come close to me; who else, indeed, would risk his life by coming close to me? – it is Yahweh who speaks.

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

²³ Now a storm of Yahweh breaks, a tempest whirls, it bursts over the head of the wicked;

²⁴ the anger of Yahweh will not turn aside until he has performed and carried out, the decision of his heart. You will understand this in the days to come.