13 Shepherds will again count their sheep as the sheep walk in front of them. People will be counting their sheep all around the country. They will count them in the mountains and in the western mountain slopes. They will count them in southern Judah and the land of Benjamin. They will count them around Jerusalem and the other towns of Judah!”
14 The Lord says, “The time is coming when I will do the things I promised. I made a special promise to the people of Israel and Judah.
15 In those days and at that time,I will make a righteous branch sprout from David’s family.He will do what is fair and right in the land.
16 At this time Judah will be saved.The people of Jerusalem will live in safety.The branch will be named:The Lord Does What Is Right.”
17 This is what the Lord says: “Someone from David’s family will always sit on the throne. And he will rule the family of Israel.
18 And there will always be priests from the family of Levi. Those priests will always stand before me. And they will offer burnt offerings and grain offerings. And they will offer sacrifices to me.”
19 The Lord spoke his word to Jeremiah.