15 the Lord says:“A voice is heard in Ramah,lamentation and bitter weeping,Rachel weeping for her children.She refuses to be comforted for her children,because they are no more.”
16 the Lord says:“Refrain your voice from weeping,and your eyes from tears;for your work will be rewarded,” says the Lord.“They will come again from the land of the enemy.
17 There is hope for your latter end,” says the Lord.“Your children will come again to their own territory.
18 “I have surely heard Ephraim grieving thus,‘You have chastised me,and I was chastised, as an untrained calf.Turn me, and I will be turned;for you are the Lord my God.
19 Surely after that I was turned.I repented.After that I was instructed.I struck my thigh.I was ashamed, yes, even confounded,because I bore the reproach of my youth.’
20 Is Ephraim my dear son?Is he a darling child?For as often as I speak against him,I still earnestly remember him.therefore my heart yearns for him.I will surely have mercy on him,” says the Lord.
21 “Set up road signs.Make guideposts.Set your heart towards the highway,even the way by which you went.Turn again, virgin of Israel.Turn again to these your cities.