^1. This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:

^2. "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: `Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.

^3. The days are coming,' declares the LORD, `when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity [1] and restore them to the land I gave their forefathers to possess,' says the LORD."

^4. These are the words the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah:

^5. "This is what the LORD says: "`Cries of fear are heard-- terror, not peace.

^6. Ask and see: Can a man bear children? Then why do I see every strong man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor, every face turned deathly pale?

^7. How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.

^8. "` In that day,' declares the LORD Almighty, `I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them.

^9. Instead, they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

^10. "`So do not fear, O Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, O Israel,' declares the LORD. `I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid.

^11. I am with you and will save you,' declares the LORD. `Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.'

^12. "This is what the LORD says: "`Your wound is incurable, your injury beyond healing.

^13. There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sore, no healing for you.

^14. All your allies have forgotten you; they care nothing for you. I have struck you as an enemy would and punished you as would the cruel, because your guilt is so great and your sins so many.

^15. Why do you cry out over your wound, your pain that has no cure? Because of your great guilt and many sins I have done these things to you.

^16. "`But all who devour you will be devoured; all your enemies will go into exile. Those who plunder you will be plundered; all who make spoil of you I will despoil.

^17. But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the LORD, `because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.'

^18. "This is what the LORD says: "`I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the palace will stand in its proper place.

^19. From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained.

^20. Their children will be as in days of old, and their community will be established before me; I will punish all who oppress them.

^21. Their leader will be one of their own; their ruler will arise from among them. I will bring him near and he will come close to me, for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?' declares the LORD.

^22. "`So you will be my people, and I will be your God.'"

^23. See, the storm of the LORD will burst out in wrath, a driving wind swirling down on the heads of the wicked.

^24. The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until he fully accomplishes the purposes of his heart. In days to come you will understand this.