21 I will say, ‘My dear children of Israel, keep in mindthe road you took when you were carried off.Mark off in your minds the landmarks.Make a mental note of telltale signs marking the way back.Return, my dear children of Israel.Return to these cities of yours.
22 How long will you vacillate,you who were once like an unfaithful daughter?For I, the Lord, promise to bring about something new on the earth,something as unique as a woman protecting a man!’”
23 The Lord God of Israel who rules over all says, “I will restore the people of Judah to their land and to their towns.When I do, they will again say of Jerusalem, ‘May the Lord bless you, you holy mountain,the place where righteousness dwells.’
24 The land of Judah will be inhabited by people who live in its townsas well as by farmers and shepherds with their flocks.
25 I will fully satisfy the needs of those who are wearyand fully refresh the souls of those who are faint.
26 Then they will say, ‘Under these conditions I can enjoy sweet sleepwhen I wake up and look around.’”
27 “Indeed, a time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will cause people and animals to sprout up in the lands of Israel and Judah.