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[1] THE word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
[2] Thus says the LORD God of Israel: Write all the words that I have spoken to you in a book.
[3] For behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will bring back the captives of my people Israel and Judah, says the LORD; and I will bring them back to the land which I gave to their fathers and they shall possess it.
[4] And these are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah.
[5] Thus says the LORD: We have heard a sound of trembling and of fear; and there is no peace.
[6] Ask now and see: Can a male bear a child? Wherefore do I observe every man with his hands on his loins, like a woman in travail, and all faces turned into paleness?
[7] Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob; but he shall be saved out of it.
[8] For it shall come to pass in that day, says the LORD of hosts, that I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon from off your neck, and I will cut off your bonds, and strangers shall no more enslave them;
[9] But they shall serve the LORD their God and David their king whom I will raise up for them
[10] Therefore fear not, O my servant Jacob, says the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel; for, lo, I will save you from afar and your offspring from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall hurt him.
[11] Fear not, O my servant Jacob, says the LORD, for I am with you to save you, says the LORD; for I will make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered you, yet I will not make a full end of you; but I will correct you justly, and will not declare you innocent.
[12] For thus says the LORD: Your wound is grievous, and your affliction is severe.
[13] There is none to plead your cause or to succor you and heal you.
[14] All your friends have forgotten you; they seek your life; for I have smitten you with the wound of an enemy, with a severe chastisement because of the multitude of your iniquities, and because your sins were increased and you would not repent.
[15] Why do you lament over your wound? Your wound is painful because of the multitude of your iniquities; and because your sins were increased, I have done these things to you.
[16] Therefore, all who devour you shall be devoured; and all your enemies, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and those who trample over you shall be trampled over, and all those who plunder you I will give for a prey.
[17] For I will restore health to you, and I will heal you of your wounds, says the LORD; because they have called you an outcast, saying, This is Zion who had no avenger
[18] Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and I will do to him as of old, and have mercy on his dwelling places; the city shall be built upon its own hill, and the temple shall be established after the former manner thereof.
[19] And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who sing; and I will multiply them, and they shall not decrease; I will also make them mighty, and they shall not be weak.
[20] Their children also shall be as of old, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all who oppress them.
[21] And their king shall be one of themselves, and their governors shall come forth from among themselves; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach to me; for I will turn his heart towards me, says the LORD.
[22] And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
[23] Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goes forth with fury, a tornado; it shall rest upon the head of the wicked.
[24] The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has executed his orders and until he has performed the intents of his heart; in the latter days you shall understand this
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