Once again there will be sounds of joy and gladness and the glad celebrations of brides and grooms. Once again people will bring their thank offerings to the temple of the Lord and will say, “Give thanks to the Lord who rules over all. For the Lord is good and his unfailing love lasts forever.” For I, the Lord, affirm that I will restore the land to what it was in days of old.’

“Indeed, there are wicked scoundrels among my people. They lie in wait like bird catchers hiding in ambush. They set deadly traps to catch people.

Everyone must be on his guard around his friends. He must not even trust any of his relatives. For every one of them will find some way to cheat him. And all of his friends will tell lies about him.

The gates of the towns in southern Judah will be shut tight. No one will be able to go in or out of them. All Judah will be carried off into exile. They will be completely carried off into exile.’”

The Lord affirms, “The descendants of Israel will not cease forever to be a nation in my sight. That could only happen if the fixed ordering of the heavenly lights were to cease to operate before me.”

“People of Babylonia, you plundered my people. That made you happy and glad. You frolic about like calves in a pasture. Your joyous sounds are like the neighs of a stallion.

The king of Babylon will become paralyzed with fear when he hears news of their coming. Anguish will grip him, agony like that of a woman giving birth to a baby.

“Go and declare in the hearing of the people of Jerusalem: ‘This is what the Lord says: “I have fond memories of you, how devoted you were to me in your early years. I remember how you loved me like a new bride; you followed me through the wilderness, through a land that had never been planted.

Jeremiah answered them, “Tell Zedekiah

“I, the Lord, the God of Israel, say: ‘The exiles whom I sent away from here to the land of Babylon are like those good figs. I consider them to be good.

In the presence of all these people I instructed Baruch,

The captain of the royal guard took the gold and silver bowls, censers, basins, pots, lampstands, pans, and vessels.

Even the soldiers from Memphis and Tahpanhes have cracked your skulls, people of Israel.

The prophets will prove to be full of wind. The Lord has not spoken through them. So, let what they say happen to them.’”

The Lord said to me, “I have made you like a metal assayer to test my people like ore. You are to observe them and evaluate how they behave.”

I said, “There is no one like you, Lord. You are great. And you are renowned for your power.

I, the Lord, say: ‘That is how I will deal with this city and its citizens. I will make it like Topheth.

Moreover, the Lord says, “Both the prophets and priests are godless. I have even found them doing evil in my temple!

You should have reprimanded Jeremiah from Anathoth who is pretending to be a prophet among you!

Once again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria. Those who plant them will once again enjoy their fruit.