17
There is hope in your future, says the Lord, That your children shall come back to their own border.
18
"I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself: 'You have chastised me, and I was chastised, Like an untrained bull; Restore me, and I will return, For You are the Lord my God.
19
Surely, after my turning, I repented; And after I was instructed, I struck myself on the thigh; I was ashamed, yes, even humiliated, Because I bore the reproach of my youth.'
20
Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For though I spoke against him, I earnestly remember him still; Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the Lord.
21
"Set up signposts, Make landmarks; Set your heart toward the highway, The way in which you went. Turn back, O virgin of Israel, Turn back to these your cities.
22
How long will you gad about, O you backsliding daughter? For the Lord has created a new thing in the earth-- A woman shall encompass a man."
23
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: "They shall again use this speech in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I bring back their captivity: 'The Lord bless you, O home of justice, and mountain of holiness!'
24
And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all its cities together, farmers and those going out with flocks.
25
For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul."
26
After this I awoke and looked around, and my sleep was sweet to me.
27
"Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and the seed of beast.