The Restoration of Israel and Judah
(Ezekiel 28:25–26)

1The word that came to Jeremiah from YHWH, saying: 2“Thus speaks YHWH God of Israel, saying: ‘Write for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you in a book. 3For, behold, the days are coming, a declaration of YHWH, when I turn back the captivity† of My people Israel and Judah—says YHWH—and I will return them to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they will possess it.’”

4And these are the words that YHWH spoke concerning Israel and Judah. 5For thus says YHWH:

“We have heard a voice of trembling,

of dread and not of peace.

6Ask now, and see,

can a male give birth?

Why have I seen every man

with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor,

and all faces have turned pale?

7Alas, for great is that day,

so that none is like it!

And a time of distress it is for Jacob,

and he will be saved from it.

8And it will come to pass on that day,

a declaration of YHWH of Hosts—

that I will break his yoke from your neck,

and your bonds I will burst,

and no longer will strangers enslave him.

9And they shall serve YHWH their God,

and David their king,

whom I will raise up for them.

And you, do not fear, My servant O Jacob,

a declaration of YHWH,

and do not be dismayed,

O Israel.

For behold, I I am saving you from afar,

and your seed from the land of their captivity;

and Jacob will return and have quiet, and he will find rest,

and no one will make him afraid.

For I am with you, a declaration of YHWH,

to save you.

Though I make a full end of all the nations to which I have scattered you there,

yet of you I will not make a full end,

and I will discipline you with justice,

and I will not leave you unpunished.”

12For thus says YHWH:

“Your breach is incurable;

your wound is grievous.

13There is no one pleading your cause,

that you may be bound up.

Unto you are no healing medicines.

14All your lovers have forgotten you;

they do not seek you.

For with the wound of an enemy I have struck you,

the disciplining of a cruel one,

over the multitude of your iniquities;

your sins are numerous.

Why do you cry out concerning your breach?

Your pain is incurable.

Concerning the multitude of your iniquities,

your sins are numerous;

I have done these things to you.

16Therefore all those devouring you will be devoured;

and all your adversaries, all of them,

will go into captivity,

and those plundering you will be as plunder,

and all preying upon you I will give as prey.

17For I will bring up health to you, and I will heal you from your wounds,

a declaration of YHWH;

for they called you an outcast:

This is Zion; no one is searching for her.”

18Thus says YHWH:

“Behold, I will turn back the captivity† of the tents of Jacob,

and on his dwelling places I will have compassion;

and the city will be rebuilt upon its own mound,

and the palace will sit according to its ordinance.

19And from them shall go forth thanksgiving

and the voice of those being glad;

and I will multiply them and they will not be diminished,

and I will glorify them and they will not be small.

20And their children will be as aforetime,

and their congregation will be established before Me,

and I will punish upon all those oppressing them.

21And their nobles will be from among them,

and their governor will come from their midst;

and I will cause him to come near,

and he will draw near to Me,

for who is this who has pledged his heart to draw near to Me?”

A declaration of YHWH.

“And you⁺ will be unto Me a people,

and I will be unto you⁺ for God.”

23Behold, the tempest of YHWH!

Fury has gone forth,

a tempest journeying out;

upon the head of the wicked it will twist down.

24The fierce anger of YHWH will not turn back,

until He has done it

and until He has established the purposes of His heart.

In the latter days

you⁺ will understand it.