3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:‘I have loved you with an everlasting love;I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
4 I will build you up again,and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt.Again you will take up your tambourinesand go out to dance with the joyful.
5 Again you will plant vineyardson the hills of Samaria;the farmers will plant themand enjoy their fruit.
6 There will be a day when watchmen cry outon the hills of Ephraim,“Come, let us go up to Zion,to the Lord our God.” ’
7 This is what the Lord says:‘Sing with joy for Jacob;shout for the foremost of the nations.Make your praises heard, and say,“Lord, save your people,the remnant of Israel.”
8 See, I will bring them from the land of the northand gather them from the ends of the earth.Among them will be the blind and the lame,expectant mothers and women in labour;a great throng will return.
9 They will come with weeping;they will pray as I bring them back.I will lead them beside streams of wateron a level path where they will not stumble,because I am Israel’s father,and Ephraim is my firstborn son.