Jeremiah Chapter 30

¹ A Message from the LORD to Jeremiah

A Promise to Restore Israel

² “The LORD God of Israel says, ‘Write in a scroll everything I’ve told you, ³ because the time’s coming when I’ll restore the fortunes of Israel and Judah. I’ll bring my people back to take over the land I gave their ancestors.’”

⁴ This is what the LORD said about Israel and Judah:

⁵ “I’ve heard the sound of terror and dread;

      there’s no peace.

⁶Ask and see if a man can have a baby.

Why do I see every man

      with his hands on his crotch

      like a woman in childbirth?

Why have their faces turned pale?

⁷ That day will be like no other,         

      a time of Jacob’s distress,

      but I’ll deliver him from it.                                                                  

⁸ I’ll break the yoke off his neck and tear off its straps. Foreigners won’t enslave him anymore. ⁹ He’ll serve the LORD his God and David his king that I’ll raise up for him.”                                            

Jer 30:1-9

¹⁰ “Don’t be afraid, Jacob my servant;

         don’t be distressed, Israel.

From a long way off, I’ll save you and your offspring          

      from the land where you’re captive.

Jacob will come back and be at ease;

      nobody will terrorize him.

¹¹ ‘I’m with you to save you,

         to destroy the nations where I’ve scattered you.

You’re the one I won’t destroy completely.

      I’ll discipline you justly

            and certainly not let you go unpunished.                  

Jer 30:10-11

¹² “Your wound can’t heal;

      you’re too seriously injured.

¹³ There’s nobody to argue your case,

      no healing for your sore,

      no recovery for you.

¹⁴ All your lovers have forgotten about you;

      they’re not looking for you.

I’ve wounded you like a cruel enemy would

                              because your sins were severe and numerous.

¹⁵ Why cry out because of your injury?

      Your pain can’t be relieved.        

I’ve done that to you

      because of your great iniquity,

      your many sins.

¹⁶ So everybody that devours you will be devoured;

      your captors will go into captivity.

Your plunderers will become plunder;

      those who prey on you I’ll make prey.

¹⁷ I’ll restore you to health and heal your wounds,

         because they’ve called you an outcast and said,

      ‘That’s Zion; nobody cares about it.’                              

Jer 30:12-17

¹⁸ “The LORD says,

      ‘I’ll restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents

            and have mercy on where he’s living.

      The city will be rebuilt on its ruins;

            the palace will stand in its rightful place.

¹⁹ Thanksgiving will go out from them,

            and the sound of people having fun.

      I’ll multiply them, not decrease them;

            I’ll honor them; they’ll be significant.

²⁰ They’ll have children like before;

            their community will be safe with me;

      I’ll punish their oppressors.                                            

Jer 30:18-20

²¹ One of their own will lead them;

            their ruler will come from among themselves.

      I’ll bring him near, and he’ll approach me;

            who would dare risking his life to approach me on his own?

²² You’ll be my people,

      and I’ll be your God.’”                                                    

Jer 30:21-22

²³ The LORD’s storm!

      His anger has gone out like a tornado;

      it will burst down on the heads of sinners.

²⁴ The LORD’s fierce anger won’t relent

      till he’s accomplished his purpose.

Later you’ll understand.

Jer 30:23-24