3 Long ago the lord said to Israel:“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
4 I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel.You will again be happyand dance merrily with your tambourines.
5 Again you will plant your vineyards on the mountains of Samariaand eat from your own gardens there.
6 The day will come when watchmen will shoutfrom the hill country of Ephraim,‘Come, let us go up to Jerusalemto worship the lord our God.’”
7 Now this is what the lord says:“Sing with joy for Israel.Shout for the greatest of nations!Shout out with praise and joy:‘Save your people, O lord,the remnant of Israel!’
8 For I will bring them from the northand from the distant corners of the earth.I will not forget the blind and lame,the expectant mothers and women in labor.A great company will return!
9 Tears of joy will stream down their faces,and I will lead them home with great care.They will walk beside quiet streamsand on smooth paths where they will not stumble.For I am Israel’s father,and Ephraim is my oldest child.