Jeremiah 31:18-20

Contemporary English Version

¹⁸ The people of Israel^[a] moan
    and say to me,
“We were like wild bulls,
but you, Lord, broke us,
    and we learned to obey.
You are our God—
    please let us come home.
¹⁹ When we were young,
    we strayed and sinned,
but then we realized
    what we had done.
We are ashamed and disgraced
    and want to return to you.”

²⁰ People of Israel,
you are my own dear children.
    Don't I love you best of all?
Though I often make threats,
I want you to be near me,
    so I will have mercy on you.
I, the Lord, have spoken.