31:17 Indeed, there is hope for your posterity.
Your children will return to their own territory.
I, the Lord, affirm it!
31:18 I have indeed
‘We were like a calf untrained to the yoke.
You disciplined us and we learned from it.
Let us come back to you and we will do so,
for you are the Lord our God.
31:19 For after we turned away from you we repented.
After we came to our senses
We are ashamed and humiliated
because of the disgraceful things we did previously.’
31:20 Indeed, the people of Israel are my dear children.
They are the children I take delight in.
For even though I must often rebuke them,
I still remember them with fondness.
So I am deeply moved with pity for them
and will surely have compassion on them.
I, the Lord, affirm it!
31:21 I will say,
the 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.