1"At that time, declares the LORD, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people."

2Thus says the LORD: "The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest,

3the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

4Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.

5Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and shall enjoy the fruit.

6For there shall be a day when watchmen will call in the hill country of Ephraim: 'Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.'"

7For thus says the LORD: "Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, 'O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.'

8Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here.

9With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.