Jeremiah 30 - Contemporary English Version 1995

The Will Rescue Israel and Judah

^1-2 The Lord God of Israel said, “Jeremiah, get a scroll and write down everything I have told you.

³ Someday I will let my people from both Israel and Judah return to the land I gave their ancestors.”

^4-5 Then the Lord told me to say to Israel and Judah: Screams of terror are heard, with no word of peace.

⁶ Can men give birth? Then why do I see them looking so pale and clutching their stomachs like women in labor?

⁷ My people, soon you will suffer worse than ever before, but I will save you.

⁸ Now you are slaves of other nations, but I will break the chains and smash the yokes that keep you in slavery.

⁹ Then you will be my servants, and I will choose a king for you from the family of David. *

¹⁰ Israel, you belong to me, so don't be afraid. You deserved to be punished; that's why I scattered you in distant nations. But I am with you, and someday I will destroy those nations.

The Will Heal Israel and Judah

¹¹ Then I will bring you and your descendants back to your land, where I will protect you and give you peace. Then your fears will be gone. I, the Lord, have spoken.

¹² The Lord said: My people, you are wounded and near death.

¹³ You are accused of a crime with no one to defend you, and you are covered with sores that no medicine can cure. *

¹⁴ Your friends have forgotten you; they don't care anymore. Even I have acted like an enemy. And because your sins are horrible and countless, I will be cruel as I punish you.

¹⁵ So don't bother to cry out for relief from your pain.

¹⁶ But if your enemies try to rob or destroy you, I will rob and destroy them, and they will be led as captives to foreign lands.

The Will Rescue Israel and Judah

¹⁷ No one wants you as a friend or cares what happens to you. But I will heal your injuries, and you will get well.

¹⁸ The Lord said: Israel, I will be kind to you and let you come home. Jerusalem now lies in ruins, but you will rebuild it, complete with a new palace.

¹⁹ Other nations will respect and honor you. Your homes will be filled with children, and you will celebrate, singing praises to me.

²⁰ It will be just like old times. Your nation will worship me, and I will punish anyone who abuses you.

²¹ One of your own people will become your ruler. And when I invite him to come near me at the place of worship, he will do so. No one would dare to come near without being invited.

²² You will be my people, and I will be your God. I, the Lord, have spoken.

²³ I am furious! And like a violent storm I will strike those who do wrong.

²⁴ I won't calm down until I have finished what I have decided to do. Someday, you will understand what I mean.