CHAPTER 30
“This is what
the LORD,
the God
of Israel,
says:
‘Write
in a book
all
the words
that
I have spoken
to you.
For
behold,
the days
are coming,
declares
the LORD,
when I will restore
from captivity
My people
Israel
and Judah,
declares
the LORD.
I will restore them
to
the land
I gave
to their forefathers,
and they will possess it.’”
Ask
and see:
Can
a male
give birth?
Why then
do I see
every
man
with his hands
on
his stomach
like a woman in labor
and every
face
turned
pale?
How
awful
that
day will be!
None will be
like it!
It is
the time
of Jacob’s
distress,
but he will be delivered
out of it.
On that
day,
declares
the LORD
of Hosts,
I will break
the yoke
off
their necks
and tear off
their bonds,
and no
longer
will strangers
enslave them.
As for you,
My servant
Jacob,
do not
be afraid,
declares
the LORD,
and do not
be dismayed,
O Israel;
for
I will surely deliver you
out of a distant place,
your descendants
from the land
of their captivity!
Jacob
will return
to quiet
and ease,
with no
one to frighten him.
For
I am
with you
to save you,
declares
the LORD.
Though
I will completely
destroy
all
the nations
to which
I have scattered you,
I will not
completely destroy you;
yet I will correct you
in measure,
and I will by no means
leave you unpunished.”
All
your lovers
have forgotten
you;
they no longer
seek you,
for
I have struck you
as an enemy would,
with the discipline
of someone cruel,
because of
your great
iniquity
and numerous
sins.
Why
do you cry out
over
your wound?
Your pain
has no cure!
Because of
your great
iniquity
and numerous
sins
I have done
these things
to you.
Nevertheless,
all
who devour you
will be devoured,
and all
your adversaries—
every one of them—
will go off
into exile.
Those who plundered you
will be plundered,
and all
who raided you
will be raided.
But
I will restore
your health
and heal
your wounds,
declares
the LORD,
because
they call
you
an outcast,
Zion,
for whom
no one
cares.”
This is what
the LORD
says:
“I will restore
the fortunes
of Jacob’s
tents
and have compassion
on his dwellings.
And the city
will be rebuilt
on her
own ruins,
and the palace
will stand
in
its rightful place.
Thanksgiving
will proceed
from them,
a sound
of celebration.
I will multiply them,
and they will not
be decreased;
I will honor them,
and they will not
be belittled.
Their children
will be
as in days of old,
and their congregation
will be established
before Me.
And I will punish
all
their oppressors.
Their leader
will be
one of their own,
and their ruler
will arise
from their midst.
And I will bring him near,
and he will approach
Me,
for
who
would dare
on his own
to approach Me?
declares
the LORD.
Behold,
the tempest
of the LORD—
wrath
has gone forth—
a churning
storm!
It will swirl
about
the heads
of the wicked.
The fierce anger
of the LORD
will not
turn back
until
He has fully accomplished
the purposes
of His heart.
In the days
to come
you will understand this.