17 There is (A)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 (B)chastised me, and I was chastised,
Like an untrained bull;
(C)Restore me, and I will return,
For You are the Lord my God.
19 Surely, (D)after my turning, I repented;
And after I was instructed, I struck myself on the thigh;
I was (E)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;
(F)Therefore My [a]heart yearns for him;
(G)I will surely have mercy on him, says the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 31:20 Lit. inward parts

17 So there is hope(A) for your descendants,”
declares the Lord.
    “Your children(B) will return to their own land.

18 “I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning:
    ‘You disciplined(C) me like an unruly calf,(D)
    and I have been disciplined.
Restore(E) me, and I will return,
    because you are the Lord my God.
19 After I strayed,(F)
    I repented;
after I came to understand,
    I beat(G) my breast.
I was ashamed(H) and humiliated
    because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’(I)
20 Is not Ephraim my dear son,
    the child(J) in whom I delight?
Though I often speak against him,
    I still remember(K) him.
Therefore my heart yearns for him;
    I have great compassion(L) for him,”
declares the Lord.

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